Assessment of dental fluorosis and dental caries among 8–16-year-old schoolchildren in Kanpur rural region, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Context: Dental caries remains a major public health problem, affecting 60-90% of school children. The assessment of dental caries and fluorosis in endemic fluoride areas will facilitate in assessing the relation between fluoride concentrations in water with dental caries, dental fluorosis simultaneously. Aims: The aim of the following study is to assess the dental caries and dental fluorosis prevalence among 8–16-year-old school children in Kanpur rural region, Uttar Pradesh. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: School children, residing in the village since childhood, in the age group of 8–16 years were selected from government schools. School children were categorized in five age groups and were examined for oral examination of available 8–16-year-old children fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria was carried out to assess dental caries and fluorosis. Statistical Analysis Used: The influence of demographic characteristics on caries and fluorosis was tested using Chi square test, independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA wherever applicable. Spearman rank correlation was applied to analyze the relationship between decayed teeth and dental fluorosis. Results: The caries prevalence was found to be 84.7%. Out of 1565 school children, 53.4% were males and 46.5% were females. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was found to be 87.5%.The fluorosis prevalence increased with increasing fluoride concentration with no difference in gender and age distribution. Conclusions: Children and teenagers are the most typically damaged by dental caries and fluorosis, it is necessary for the management of the prevalence of caries and fluorosis.