In people aged 17-20 years exposed to fluoride toothpaste, exposure to fluoridated water was linked with a decline in the severity and incidence of tooth decay, despite using fluoridated toothpaste. Investigators undertook this study to investigate the influence of water fluoridation on the severity and prevalence of fluorosis and dental caries.

The study population comprised 660 students from public schools. The recruited participants were residents of areas supplied with fluoridated water (exposed group) or not (not exposed group). Both the groups had access to fluoride toothpaste throughout their life. A questionnaire about socioeconomic demographic aspects, habits associated with oral health, and conditions linked to access and exposure to fluoridated water were used.

With the aid of the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, dental caries was estimated and using Thylstrup and Fejerskov index (TF) index, dental fluorosis was estimated. For analyzing data, the t-test, chi-square test, and subsequently logistic regression were utilized. Caries experience (DMFT≠0) was considerably more in students unexposed to fluoridated water, following adjustment of hygiene habits, clinical conditions, and demographic socioeconomic profile.

Compared to students not exposed to fluoridated water, the students exposed to fluoridated water displayed reduced DMFT and a higher prevalence of very mild/mild and moderate fluorosis, as shown in Table 1:

The incidence of dental fluorosis at all levels was raised in fluoridated areas, but, in both the groups, only a few cases with esthetic implications were noted.