Authors : M.S. Shaharuddin, M. Mohd. Nor Kidahus, S. Sumarlan, Y. Mohd. Kamil, Y. Mohammed Ismail, R. Mohammad Firuz, A. Mohd. Yunus, I. Syazwan Aizat and S. Dasrilsyah
Abstract: Relationship between fluoride levels in drinking water and dental fluorosis is investigated. Total 247 respondents from three areas in Malaysia, namely Kota Kinabalu in Sabah state, Pasir Mas in Kelantan State and Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu State was recruited after fulfilling a few inclusive and exclusive criteria. Water samples were collected for three consecutive days and then analysed for fluoride in a DR/2010 direct reading spectrophotometer using the SPADNS method. Dental Fluorosis (DF) was visually determined by a competent dentist using the Tooth Surface Index of Fluorosis (TSIF). Fluoride levels in all three areas were below or within the national standard (0.5-0.9 mg L¯1). Generally, the lowest DF score (0) was measured at all study areas and the highest DF score (4) was measured in Kuala Terengganu, from 3 respondents. Mean DF score for all three study areas was 0.50±0.89. Males have lower mean DF score (0.41±0.88) compared to females (0.59±0.90). The prevalence of DF as a whole was at 31.6% or 78 respondents, who had at least score (1). The range of DF score was from 0-4. Dividing into areas, prevalence was highest in Kuala Terengganu at 47.0%, compared to Pasir Mas (27.1%) and Kota Kinabalu (20.3%). Statistically, there were no relationship between fluoride levels in drinking water and score of fluorosis. The prevalence of DF obtained in this study was lower compared the national study results of 77%. Mean score of DF from all three areas was <1 and from that it is said that dental fluorosis was not a problem in all areas studied.
M.S. Shaharuddin, M. Mohd. Nor Kidahus, S. Sumarlan, Y. Mohd. Kamil, Y. Mohammed Ismail, R. Mohammad Firuz, A. Mohd. Yunus, I. Syazwan Aizat and S. Dasrilsyah, 2010. Dental Fluorosis (DF) and its Relationship with Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water in Three States in Malaysia. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 4: 20-24.