EFFECTS OF FLUORIDE AND NUTRITITIONAL STATUS ON DEVELOPMENTAL DEFECTS OF ENAMEL AMONG SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN AGED 12-13 YEAR IN DAVANGERE, SOUTH INDIA

*Dr. Veeranna Ramesh, MDS and Dr. Shashwat Kumar, MDS

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Developmental defects of enamel are visible deviations from the normal translucent appearance of tooth enamel resulting from enamel organ dysfunction. It is increasingly evident that developmental defects of enamel are common and distribution is wide spread. The influence of excessive fluoride in drinking water and nutritional deficiencies have significant role in the very occurrence of developmental defects of enamel and this study aims to evaluate the same among school children aged 12-13 years in Davangere, South India. Materials and Methods: A total of 353 school going children aged 13 years were included in the study. Four villages were randomly selected from Davangere. Developmental defects of enamel were recorded using Modified DDE index and the defects were classed as demarcated, Diffused and Hypo plastic. Fluoride concentration in the water sample was estimated by using ORION- ION SPECIFIC ELECTRODE METHOD. Nutritional status was determined by height for age percentage of the median of the reference population, HAM. All categorized data were analyzed by Chi-square test for difference between groups and significance for all statistical tests was predetermined at probability values of 0.05 or less. Results: Over all prevalence of developmental defects of enamel was 94.9%. Diffused defects were the highest with 63.5%, followed by hypo plastic defects with 17.8% and the least was demarcated defects i.e. 13.6%. The prevalence of developmental defects of enamel increased with increase in fluoride content in the drinking water source. Regarding the nutritional status, 48.2% were malnourished. Diffused defects were more common among the malnourished group with 65.2%. Conclusion: Malnutrition plays an important role along with fluoride in the occurrence of developmental defects of enamel. Results should emphasizes the health promoters to go for defluoridation plants and stress more on the importance of nutrition, thus aiding in improving the health of the individual.

Keywords: Developmental defects of enamel, nutritional status, fluoride concentration, school children.