Fluorides and dental fluorosis in students from Tula de Allende Hidalgo, Mexico

This study correlates and presents the findings of the concentrations of fluorides an important contaminant of ground water present in two specific locations: The Ex-Hacienda well, which supplies the community of San Miguel Vindhó; and the Manzanitas-I well, which supplies La Malinche. The study concentrates on the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in students between 12 to 15 years old, who were born and live in these communities. The study was designed to be cross sectional and comparative. During the period of April 2008 to April 2009, the study determines the measurement of fluorides (F-) by using the Spectrophotometric method. A clinical exam was undertaken to observe the prevalence of dental fluorosis according to the Modified Dean Index. To determine the severity of fluorosis, the Community Fluorosis Index (CFI) was calculated. The concentrations of fluorides in the Ex-Hacienda well had a mean of 1.41 mg/L (CI 95%, 1.19, 1.64) with a fluorosis prevalence of 85% and a CFI of 1.6. Meanwhile, in the Manzanitas I well, the mean value was 0.62 mg/L (CI 95%, 0.53, 0.70) with a prevalence of 4% and CFI of 0.2. There is a significant difference between the two populations with a paired t test result of p < 0.005. There is a positive correlation between the concentration of fluorides of the Ex Hacienda well and the development of fluorosis in San Miguel Vindhó, and the study concludes that these results constitute a hazard for students health.