Dental Fluorosis: A Community-Clustered Case Series

Abstract

Background: Dental fluorosis, a condition resulting from excessive fluoride intake during tooth development, is a preventable public health problem. This case series examines this in a rural community in the Ujjain district in Madhya Pradesh, India, identified through a postgraduate community adoption program.
Methods: Cases of dental fluorosis were detected from Lambikhedi village in the Mahidpur block, Ujjain District, through routine school health survey and subsequently confirmed at the dental department. The severity of fluorosis was assessed using the ICMR and Dean’s Indices. All drinkable water sources of the concerned village were checked for fluoride content. The study was conducted between December 2023 and March 2024.
Results: This study detected five children aged 5 to 11 years, with varying degrees of dental fluorosis: two cases classified as grade III, two as grade II, and one as grade I according to the ICMR index. Analysis of all three drinking water sources revealed fluoride levels between 1.51 mg/L and 1.65 mg/L, which exceed acceptable limits (1.0 mg/L) and permissible limits (1.5 mg/L). This case series includes clinical findings, fluorosis grades, water quality reports, and individualized treatment plans.
Conclusion: This study highlights the endemic nature of dental fluorosis and high fluoride levels in rural India’s drinking water. Effective screening, water defluoridation, and community-based oral health education are essential. A community adoption program for postgraduate students at medical colleges can greatly enhance these efforts.