Early Lead Exposure Associated with Molar Hypomineralization.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between prenatal and early life exposure to lead and the presence of molar hypomineralization (MH) in a group of Mexican children. Methods: A subset of participants of the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENTS) cohort study was examined for the presence of molar hypomineralization using European Academy of Pedi- atric Dentistry (EAPD) criteria. Prenatal lead exposure was assessed by K-ray fluorescence measurements of patella and tibia lead and by maternal blood lead levels by trimester and averaged over trimesters. Postnatal exposure was assessed by levels of maternal blood lead at delivery and child blood lead at 12 and 24 months. Results: A subset of 506 subjects from the ELEMENT cohorts (nine to 18 years old) were examined for MH; 87 subjects (17.2 percent) had MH. Maternal blood lead levels in the third trimester (odds ratio [OR] equals 1.08; 95 percent confidence interval [95% CI] equals 1.02 to 1.15) and averaged over three trimesters (OR equals 1.10; 95% CI equals 1.02 to 1.19) were significantly associated with MH status. None of the maternal bone lead or the child's blood lead parameters was significantly associated with the presence of MH (P>0.05). Conclusions: This study documents a significant association between prenatal lead exposure especially in late pregnancy and the odds of molar hypomineralization.

El aprendizaje basado en problemas (ABP); avances dentro del programa de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Intercontinental / Problem-based learning (PBL); advances inside the program of the School of Dentistry, Intercontinental University

El aprendizaje basado en problemas (ABP) o también conocido como PBL por sus siglas en englés (problem based learning) es un método pedagógico comúnmente empleado en la educación en ciencias de la salud. Las escuelas de medicina han sido líderes en implementar programas educativos basados en ABP. Existe menos información con respecto a la extensión y alcance de esta técnica educativa en odontología que en medicina. El objetivo del presente artículo es presentar al lector los principios que promueven el aprendizaje basado en problemas, así como describir la experiencia que la Facultad de Odontología FO/UIC ha tenido con su aplicación

A review of the prevalence of dental fluorosis in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: There has been a worrisome increase in the prevalence of dental fluorosis worldwide. The objective of this study was to review research on dental fluorosis prevalence in Mexico in order to assess if that prevalence is rising and if dental fluorosis constitutes a public health problem for the country. METHODS: Clinical, experimental, and review reports were searched for in a number of bibliographic databases for scientific literature, using the search phrase "fluorosis and Mexico." All the materials that were initially identified had to satisfy eight specific criteria in order to be included in our study. RESULTS: Of the 24 publications that the literature search yielded, 14 satisfied all the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of dental fluorosis reported in Mexico ranged from 30% to 100% in areas where water is naturally fluoridated and from 52% to 82% in areas where fluoridated salt is used. Most of the 14 studies were conducted in areas where water fluoride levels were above optimal, and the fluorosis cases reported in these publications ranged from "mild" to "severe." There have been only a small number of reports on dental fluorosis since the introduction of fluoridated salt in the country in 1991. However, some of those studies have shown that the prevalence of fluorosis was higher than what would be expected given the historical data from communities with optimal fluoridation in other countries. CONCLUSION: Due to the limited amount of information, it is not possible to determine if the prevalence of dental fluorosis in Mexico is rising or if it constitutes a public health problem. To objectively answer these questions more controlled studies are needed in areas where fluoridated salt is distributed, where water fluoride is above optimal, and where residents live at a high altitude.

A review of the prevalence of dental fluorosis in Mexico

OBJETIVOS: La prevalencia de fluorosis dental ha aumentado de forma alarmante en todo el mundo. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las investigaciones publicadas sobre la prevalencia de fluorosis dental en México, a fin de valorar si hay un aumento de esta prevalencia y si la fluorosis dental constituye un problema de salud pública en el país. MÉTODOS: Se examinaron los artículos de corte clínico, experimental y de revisión publicados en varias bases de datos bibliográficas dedicadas a la literatura científica, utilizando "fluorosis y Mexico" para hacer la búsqueda. Para incluirse en el estudio, los materiales identificados tenían que satisfacer ocho criterios específicos adicionales. RESULTADOS: De los 24 artículos identificados en la búsqueda bibliográfica, 14 cumplieron todos los criterios de inclusión. La prevalencia de fluorosis dental informada para México fue de 30 a 100% en zonas donde el agua era fluorada de manera natural y de 52 a 82% en zonas donde se consumía sal fluorada. La mayoría de los 14 estudios se realizaron en áreas donde el nivel de fluoruros en el agua era superior al óptimo y los casos de fluorosis informados en esos artículos se clasificaron entre "moderados" y "graves". Desde que se introdujo la fluoración de la sal en México en 1991 se han informado muy pocos casos de fluorosis dental. Sin embargo, en algunos de estos estudios se encontraron prevalencias mayores que las esperadas, si se tienen en cuenta los datos históricos de comunidades con fluoración óptima en otros países. CONCLUSIÓN: Debido a lo limitado de la información no es posible determinar si hay un aumento de la prevalencia de fluorosis dental en México o si esta afección constituye un problema de salud pública. Para responder objetivamente a estas interrogantes se requieren estudios más controlados en zonas donde se distribuya sal fluorada, donde los niveles de fluoruros en el agua sean superiores al óptimo y en poblaciones situadas a mayor altura sobre el nivel del mar.

Dental fluorosis and altitude: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported higher dental fluorosis prevalence in high-altitude communities than in low-altitude communities. This investigation determined and compared dental fluorosis prevalence in populations of children living at high and low altitudes in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fluorosis prevalence was determined in 7 to 10-year-old children: 67 in Mexico City (2,240 m) and 71 in Veracruz (sea level). Previous fluoride exposure of those children was surveyed by retrospective, questionnaire data. The fluoride content of water and salt from those communities was also documented. RESULTS: Fluorosis prevalence in Mexico City (53.0%) was significantly higher than in Veracruz (24.3%) (p < 0.0001). While there were statistical differences in one of the fluorosis risk factors between the two communities, the observed difference in fluorosis prevalence was still significant when data were analyzed after adjusting for the reported differences in that factor. CONCLUSION: Our results led to the conclusion that the difference in fluorosis prevalence in Mexico City and Veracruz could not be explained by differences in fluoride content of the salt or water samples, self-reported exposure to fluorosis risk factors or estimated fluoride intake.