THE CONTRIBUTION OF DRINKING WATER TOWARDS DENTAL FLUOROSIS: A CASE STUDY IN TARTU.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of fluoride in drinking water on the prevalence of dental fluorosis among schoolchildren in Tartu (Estonia). The subjects of the current study were 12 years old, living in six zones of Tartu with different fluoride content in drinking water. In total, 368 children were investigated. The prevalence of dental fluorosis among schoolchildren was on average 30.2%, the highest percentage (53.3%) was in the Veeriku zone and the lowest (8.8%) was in the Staadioni zone. The association between the prevalence of dental fluorosis and the fluoride content in drinking water was observed which made it possible to assess the relative risk of fluorosis. Conclusion: the relationship between the prevalence of dental fluorosis among children and the fluoride content in drinking water was determined and the relative risk of fluorosis was calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]