Abstract

DOES FLUORIDATED MUNICIPAL WATER REDUCE PREVALENCE OF TOOTH CARIES? FLUORIDATED WATER DMFT COMPARED WITH NON-FLUORIDATED DMFT IN THE GREATER MONTREAL AREA: A CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY

L. Z. G. Touyz* and L. M. Nassani

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Various factors moderate oral health and with tooth-decay fluoride in drinking water is important Eufluoride (at 1ppm) is optimal in drinking water to successfully prevent tooth-decay. Higher concentrations of fluoride (1ppm) may harm teeth (ie fluorosis). Aim: To reaffirm or deny the effect of fluoridated water on modulating dental decay. Methodology: Sampled fluoride concentrations of Montreal‟s municipal water revealed only two of 10 tested districts have fluoridated water: (Dorval and Chateauguay at 0.71-ppm fluoride). DMFT‟s(Decayed Missing Filled Teeth Index) were harvested from all ten Greater Montreal (GM) areas. This study measured DMFTs in GM fluoridated areas, and compared results of the DMFTs with other Montreal‟s non-fluoridated areas. Number of DMFT‟s from clinical charts:- Total cohort n=1240. Total of non-fluoridated areas n = 900: 0-6years n=290; 7-12years n= 300; 13- 18years n= 310. Total of fluoridated-areas n= 340. Results: The DMFT‟s are Significantly reduced (p) in fluoridated areas (Dorval and Chateauguay). Conclusion: Fluoridated municipal water in fluoridated areas significantly reduces decay as measured by DMFT.

Keywords: Caries, DMFT, eufluoride, fluoride, fluorosis, tooth-decay, potable water.