Authors: Hopcraft M.S.; Morgan M.V.

Source: Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, Volume 31, Number 1, February 2003 , pp. 68-74(7)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Hopcraft MS, Morgan MV. Exposure to fluoridated drinking water and dental caries experience in Australian Army Recruits, 1996. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2003; 31: 68–74. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2003 Abstract

– Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to investigate a group of young Australian adults to determine their caries experience and measure associations between caries experience and age, gender, socioeconomic status, education level and lifetime exposure to fluoridated water. Methods:

This was achieved through a cross-sectional study involving Australian Army recruits seen for their initial dental examination on enlistment into the Australian Army. A total of 499 recruits had a clinical examination with the aid of bitewing radiographs and an orthopantomograph (OPG). Sociodemographic and fluoride exposure data were obtained via a questionnaire. Results:

This study showed that subjects with a lifetime exposure to fluoridated water reported a 23% lower level of caries experience than subjects with no exposure to fluoridated water, with a greater effect on proximal surfaces compared to smooth and occlusal surfaces. Female subjects had a level of caries experience 25% higher than male subjects, while subjects from the lowest socioeconomic background had a level of caries experience 89% times greater than subjects from the highest socioeconomic group. Conclusions:

Although it is not possible to directly establish a causal relationship from a cross-sectional study such as this, the results from this study show a dose–response relationship which suggests that there are benefits of lifetime exposure to fluoridated drinking water through young adulthood.

Keywords: adult; caries; DMFS; epidemiology; fluoridation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0528.2003.00024.x

Affiliations: 1: School of Dental Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Publication date: 2003-02-01

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