Abstract

Objective.  Identify the prevalence of fluorosis in children between 4 and 15 years of age according to the Dean’s index, and determine its association with the level of fluoride present in drinking water from Cotopaxi province. Subsequent to the authorization by their parents and approval by the committee of the Central University of Ecuador

Methods.  115 participants between the ages of 4 to 15 years old were examined following validated photographic registration protocols, after verifying and fulfilling the inclusion criteria, along with the supply water samples were collected following the adequate protocols and examined for the presence of fluoride. The obtained photographs were analyzed by three certified evaluators, who were trained in the differentiation of the degrees of fluorosis according to Dean by means of the Kappa index.

Results.  The values emitted by each evaluator were tabulated and processed through the SPSS program, using the statistical test of Chi-square and Spearman’s correlation. The absence of a statistically significant relationship between the variables was observed.

Conclusion:  The presence of mild to moderate fluorosis in the analyzed population is not related to the percentage of fluoride present in drinking water.

Keywords: Dental fluorosis / Fluoride / Water supply