Aesthetical perception of dental fluorosis in a Colombian low income community

Abstract

Introduction and objective : Dental fluorosis (DF) is a defect in the development of enamel as a result of overexposure to fluoride and can aesthetically compromise the patient. This study aims to investigate the relationship between aesthetic perception and dental fluorosis in a low-income community with a high prevalence of DF. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 171 schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 who live in a low socioeconomic community (El Cedro, Ayapel district, Córdoba, Colombia). The students were examined for dental caries (DMFT and dmft indexes (WHO criteria) and for dental fluorosis (TF index). Aesthetic perception was verified with the questionnaire on children's perceptions of the appearance of teeth (CQATA) Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, Student's t, one-way ANOVA and linear regression (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The prevalence of DF was 84.8% (n = 145). Only the presence of caries (DMFT / deft ≠ 0) had a significant impact on aesthetic perceptions. A significantly lower rate was found in girls for the pleasant color report. The number of teeth affected by FD had a significant positive correlation with the general perception of dental health. Conclusion : The presence of mild DF in children with low socioeconomic status, in a population with a high prevalence of this enamel defect, did not seem to have an impact on accepting the appearance of tooth color.