INDIA: High levels of fluoride in Fazilka water linked to dental fluorosis

[pfpcnews]

High levels of fluoride in Fazilka water linked to dental fluorosis

The Times of India - February 25, 2024

Chandigarh: The prevalence of dental fluorosis among schoolchildren is concerning in the areas where the of fluoride is high in drinking water, a study revealed, underscoring the urgent need to implement preventive measures to minimise its detrimental effects on oral health. The study found a positive correlation between the severity and prevalence of developmental defects and the concentration of fluoride in drinking water, which varied between 0.5 to 2.0 ppm.

Dental fluorosis is a condition characterised by changes in the appearance of tooth enamel due to regular fluoride consumption during crucial developmental years.

To assess the prevalence and severity of developmental defects of enamel and its potential correlation with fluoride levels in drinking water, a study was conducted among 1,000 students — 519 males and 481 females — aged between 12 and 15, selected from 10 schools situated in 10 villages of the Fazilka district. Water samples from these villages were collected and analysed to ascertain the concentration of fluoride.

The study revealed an overall prevalence of developmental defects among the study population at 73.4%, with variations ranging from 59% to 100% across the 10 villages examined. Among the 10 villages studied, two villages, namely Jhariwala and Rana, had 97% and 100% prevalence, respectively, while all villages showed a prevalence of over 50%. The most common type of defect observed was diffuse opacity, affecting 22.8% of the children.

Among the children detected with developmental defects, 164 (16.4%) had demarcated opacities (white/cream), 92 (9.2%) demarcated opacity (yellow/brown), 83 (8.3%) diffuse (lines), 228 (22.8%) diffuse (patchy), 51 (5.1%) diffuse (confluent), and 95 (9.5%) had multiple defects.

The study titled ‘Prevalence and distribution of developmental defects of enamel in children aged 12–15 years in Fazilka district, and their correlation with drinking water fluoride level’ was carried out by Sandeep Sidhu, Navneet Kathuria, Bela Mahajan, Gagandeep Sidhu, Karthikeyan Ramalingam. The findings have been published in Cureus.

Since the research primarily focused on villages within the Fazilka area in which school children aged between 12 and 15 were included, experts emphasise the need for a comprehensive epidemiological investigation covering the entire Punjab state to obtain a more accurate understanding of the magnitude of the health issues associated with dental fluorosis.

Given the adverse effects of excessive fluoride consumption on oral health, the study observed a critical need to prioritise the development of uncomplicated, efficient, and affordable de-fluoridation methods. “These methods must be suitable and culturally acceptable to rural communities residing in high fluoride areas of the Fazilka district. This becomes particularly vital in areas where alternative drinking water sources with low fluoride content are not readily accessible,” concludes the study.

SOURCE
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/arti ... 979849.cms?