ENAMEL DEFECTS IN 4-YEAR-OLD TO 5-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IN FLUORIDATED AND NONFLUORIDATED PARTS OF CHESHIRE, UK

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of developmental d efects of enamel in the deciduous dentition of 4- to 5-year-old childr en residing in fluoridated (1 ppm F) and non-fluoridated (less than 0. 2 ppm F) communities in Cheshire. UK. The significant difference in th e prevalence of developmental defects of enamel between the two commun ities was accounted for by the higher prevalence of diffuse opacities in fluoridated Nantwich (29%), than in non-fluoridated Northwich (14%) . The results also showed that when controlling for the age at which p arents claimed toothbrushing commenced, the children in fluoridated Na ntwich still had significantly more diffuse defects than the children in Northwich.