Title

Dental Fluorosis over Time: A comparison of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2001-2002 and 2011-2012

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2018

Abstract

Purpose—Excessive fluoride ingestion has been associated with dental fluorosis. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in dental fluorosis prevalence comparing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) trend data for adolescents, aged 16 and 17 years, when compared to data collected in 2001–2002 to data from 2011–2012. Methods—The sample included 875 participants. Data analyses included Chi square tests and logistic regressions. The data were from a nationally representative survey by calibrated dental examiners using the modified Dean’s fluorosis classification system. The data analysis of the prevalence of fluorosis severity level was dichotomized to very mild/above vs. normal/ questionable. Results—In 2001–2002, the weighted percentage prevalence of the denoted dental fluorosis categories were: 49.8% normal (i.e., unaffected), 20.5% questionable, and 29.7% very mild and above. In 2011–2012, the weighted percentage prevalence categories were: 31.2% normal, 7.5% questionable, and 61.3% very mild and above. When comparing years 2001–2002 with the years 2011–2012, the prevalence of very mild and above fluorosis increased by 31.6% (P P <.0001) for the 2011–2012 group. In adjusted logistic regression, participants from the years 2011–2012 were more likely to have very mild and above dental fluorosis than participants in 2001–2002 as compared with normal/questionable fluorosis (Adjusted odds ratio= 3.85; 95% confidence interval= 2.20, 6.72; P <.0001). Conclusion—There was a difference of 31.6% in dental fluorosis prevalence between 2012– 2011 when compared to data from 2002–2001 in adolescents aged 16 and 17 years. The continued increase in fluorosis rates in the U.S. indicates that additional measures need to be implemented to reduce its prevalence.

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