Is there any association between fluoride exposure and thyroid function modulation? A systematic review.

Numerous pre-clinical and observational studies have explored the potential effects of fluoride (F) at varying concentrations on diverse systems and organs. While some have assessed the endocrinological conditions of children and adults, a consensus regarding the interaction between F and the thyroid remains elusive. This systematic review aimed to gather primary evidence on the association between F and changes in the thyroid at optimal and high levels in water supply as stipulated by the World Health Organization. A search strategy, incorporating terms pertinent to the studies, was employed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, and Google Scholar. Following the review of studies, data were extracted and analyzed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations to assess the quality of the evidence. Our results yielded 3,568 studies, of which seven met the inclusion criteria for this review. Five of the seven studies identified an association between high F exposure and thyroid function. In the analysis of methodological quality, every study was found to have major or minor methodological issues and significant risk of bias. The overall confidence in the evidence was deemed low for all outcomes in the seven studies. The evidence compiled in this review suggests a potential association between chronic high levels of F exposure and thyroid damage. Nonetheless, further studies with robust design and high methodological quality are required to provide evidence for policy makers and health care practitioners.

Dietary Influences on Urinary Fluoride over the Course of Pregnancy and at One-Year Postpartum.

Dietary factors are known to influence urinary fluoride (UF) levels in nonpregnant people. Maternal UF is used as a biomarker of fluoride exposure; however, dietary influences on UF during pregnancy are unknown. We compared UF levels and assessed the associations between UF and five select dietary influences in pregnancy vs. one-year postpartum: dietary fluoride (F), calcium intake from diet (Ca-diet), calcium intake from supplements (Ca-sup), dietary acid load (AL), and table salt use (TS) in 421 women exposed to fluoridated salt in the Mexican diet. Spot UF (mg/L) was measured by microdiffusion/fluoride-specific electrode and dilution-corrected with specific gravity (SG). Dietary variables were estimated from a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Comparisons among UF in pregnancy vs. one-year postpartum were performed with non-parametric tests. Associations between dietary variables and UF were assessed using random effect models (for pregnancy) and linear regression (for one-year postpartum). SG-corrected UF (median, range) during pregnancy (0.77, 0.01-4.73 mg/L) did not significantly differ from one-year postpartum (0.75, 0.15-2.62 mg/L) but did increase every 10 gestational weeks, ß = 0.05 (CI: 0.00-0.10). Different dietary influences on UF were identified at each state. Although Ca-diet and AL were not associated with UF in either state, Ca-sup decreased UF only during pregnancy, ß = - 0.012 mg/L (CI: - 0.023-0.00). Reporting TS use was associated with 12% increase in UF only at one-year postpartum (p = 0.026). These results suggest different dietary influences on UF in the pregnant state, which need consideration when using UF as a biomarker of fluoride exposure.

Dietary fluoride intake during pregnancy and neurodevelopment in toddlers: A prospective study in the progress cohort.

Foods and beverages provide a source of fluoride exposure in Mexico. While high fluoride concentrations are neurotoxic, recent research suggests that exposures within the optimal range may also pose a risk to the developing brain. This prospective study examined whether dietary fluoride intake during pregnancy is associated with toddlers' neurodevelopment in 103 mother-child pairs from the PROGRESS cohort in Mexico City. Food and beverage fluoride intake was assessed in trimesters 2 and 3 using a food frequency questionnaire and Mexican tables of fluoride content. We used the Bayley-III to evaluate cognitive, motor, and language outcomes at 12 and 24 months of age. Adjusted linear regression models were generated for each neurodevelopment assessment time point (12 and 24 months). Mixed-effects models were used to consider a repeated measurement approach. Interactions between maternal fluoride intake and child sex on neurodevelopmental outcomes were tested. Median (IQR) dietary fluoride intake during pregnancy was 1.01 mg/d (0.73, 1.32). Maternal fluoride intake was not associated with cognitive, language, or motor outcomes collapsing across boys and girls. However, child sex modified the association between maternal fluoride intake and cognitive outcome (p interaction term = 0.06). A 0.5 mg/day increase in overall dietary fluoride intake was associated with a 3.50-point lower cognitive outcome in 24-month old boys (95 % CI: -6.58, -0.42); there was no statistical association with girls (ß = 0.07, 95 % CI: -2.37, 2.51), nor on the cognitive outcome at 12-months of age. Averaging across the 12- and 24-month cognitive outcomes using mixed-effects models revealed a similar association: a 0.5 mg/day increase in overall dietary fluoride intake was associated with a 3.46-point lower cognitive outcome in boys (95 % CI: -6.23, -0.70). These findings suggest that the development of nonverbal abilities in males may be more vulnerable to prenatal fluoride exposure than language or motor abilities, even at levels within the recommended intake range.

CariesCare International adapted for the pandemic in children: Caries OUT multicentre single-group interventional study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive caries care has shown effectiveness in controlling caries progression and improving health outcomes by controlling caries risk, preventing initial-caries lesions progression, and patient satisfaction. To date, the caries-progression control effectiveness of the patient-centred risk-based CariesCare International (CCI) system, derived from ICCMS™ for the practice (2019), remains unproven. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic a previously planned multi-centre RCT shifted to this "Caries OUT" study, aiming to assess in a single-intervention group in children, the caries-control effectiveness of CCI adapted for the pandemic with non-aerosols generating procedures (non-AGP) and reducing in-office time. METHODS: In this 1-year multi-centre single-group interventional trial the adapted-CCI effectiveness will be assessed in one single group in terms of tooth-surface level caries progression control, and secondarily, individual-level caries progression control, children's oral-health behaviour change, parents' and dentists' process acceptability, and costs exploration. A sample size of 258 3-5 and 6-8 years old patients was calculated after removing half from the previous RCT, allowing for a 25% dropout, including generally health children (27 per centre). The single-group intervention will be the adapted-CCI 4D-cycle caries care, with non-AGP and reduced in-office appointments' time. A trained examiner per centre will conduct examinations at baseline, at 5-5.5 months (3 months after basic management), 8.5 and 12 months, assessing the child's CCI caries risk and oral-health behaviour, visually staging and assessing caries-lesions severity and activity without air-drying (ICDAS-merged Epi); fillings/sealants; missing/dental-sepsis teeth, and tooth symptoms, synthetizing together with parent and external-trained dental practitioner (DP) the patient- and tooth-surface level diagnoses and personalised care plan. DP will deliver the adapted-CCI caries care. Parents' and dentists' process acceptability will be assessed via Treatment-Evaluation-Inventory questionnaires, and costs in terms of number of appointments and activities. Twenty-one centres in 13 countries will participate. DISCUSSION: The results of Caries OUT adapted for the pandemic will provide clinical data that could help support shifting the caries care in children towards individualised oral-health behaviour improvement and tooth-preserving care, improving health outcomes, and explore if the caries progression can be controlled during the pandemic by conducting non-AGP and reducing in-office time. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively-registered-ClinicalTrials.gov-NCT04666597-07/12/2020: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000AGM4&selectaction=Edit&uid=U00019IE&ts=2&cx=uwje3h . Protocol-version 2: 27/01/2021.

Association of Dietary Fluoride Intake and Diet Variables with Dental Caries in Adolescents from the ELEMENT Cohort Study.

To examine the association of dietary fluoride intake, total carbohydrate consumption and other key dietary variables with dental caries experience among adolescents, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted in a sample of 402 participants from the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants cohort. The presence and severity of dental caries were assessed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) to calculate the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth or surfaces (D1MFT/D4MFT). The dietary intake of fluoride, energy, carbohydrates, and food groups was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Multivariate zero-inflated negative binomial regression models and negative binomial regression models were run to estimate the association of fluoride intake (mg/day) and total carbohydrate intake (g/day) with the D1MFT/D4MFT index. We found that 80% of the adolescents experienced dental caries (D1MFT >0), with 30% presenting cavitated lesions (D4MFT >0). The mean scores for D1MFT and D4MFT were 6.2 (SD 5.3) and 0.67 (SD 1.3), respectively. The median intake of fluoride estimated by the FFQ was 0.015 mg/kg/day. This intake was statistically higher in participants with a D4MFT = 0 compared to those with a D4MFT >0 (0.90 vs. 0.82 mg/day; 0.016 vs. 0.014 mg/kg/day; p < 0.05). For D1MFT, D1MFS, D4MFT, and D4MFS scores, a higher fluoride consumption (mg/day) from foods and beverages was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the number of lesions. The reported frequency of consumption of sugary foods in a whole day was statistically higher in those with D1MFT >0 than in those with D1MFT = 0 (p < 0.05). The total carbohydrate intake (g/day) was positively associated with dental caries experience. We conclude that a higher fluoride intake through foods and beverages is associated with a lower dental caries experience among adolescents; this effect was seen even when the dietary intake of fluoride was 0.015 mg/kg/day, which is lower than the average intake recommendation. In contrast, a higher total carbohydrate intake and the frequency of intake of sugary foods were associated with a higher dental caries experience, with no apparent threshold for the effects.

Aesthetical perception of dental fluorosis in a Colombian low income community / Percepção estética da fluorose dentária em uma comunidade colombiana de baixa renda / Percepción estética de la fluorosis dental en una comunidad colombiana de bajos ingresos

Abstract Introduction and objective: The Dental Fluorosis (DF) is a development defect of enamel resulting from overexposure to fluoride and can aesthetically compromise the patient. This study aims to investigate the relationship between aesthetic perception and dental fluorosis (DF) in a low-income community with high DF prevalence. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 171 Colombian schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 years living in low socioeconomic community (El Cedro, district of Ayapel, Córdoba, Colombia). After receiving authorization, the students were examined for DMFT and dmft indexes (WHO criteria), and for DF (TF index). The aesthetic perceptions were verified by the Child Perceptions Questionnaire About Tooth Appearance (CQATA). Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, the Student´s t-test, the one-way ANOVA test, and linear regression at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: The prevalence of DF in this sample 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 report of pleasant color domain. The number of teeth affected by DF had a significant positive correlation with mean overall perception of dental health. Conclusion: The presence of mild DF in children with low socioeconomic status, from a population with a high prevalence of the condition, did not seem to have an impact on the report of pleasant color of teeth domain.

Resumo Introdução e Objetivo: A fluorose dentária (FD) é um defeito de desenvolvimento do esmalte decorrente da sobre-exposição ao flúor e pode comprometer esteticamente o paciente. O presente estudo se propõe a investigar a relação entre percepção estética e fluorose dentária em uma comunidade de baixa renda com alta prevalência de FD. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 171 escolares colombianos de 8 a 12 anos de idade, moradores de uma comunidade de baixa renda (El Cedro, distrito de Ayapel, Córdoba, Colômbia). Após receber autorização, os estudantes foram examinados para os índices CPOD e ceod (OMS) e para o FD (TF index). As percepções estéticas foram verificadas pelo "Child Perception Questionaire about Teeth Appearence" (CQATA). A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio de estatística descritiva, teste do qui-quadrado, teste t de Student, teste ANOVA one-way e regressão linear em nível de significância de p ≤ 0,05. Resultados: A prevalência de FD nesta amostra foi de 84,8% (n = 145). Apenas a presença de cáries (CPOD/cpod≠0) teve um impacto significativo nas percepções estéticas. Uma taxa significativamente menor foi encontrada em meninas para o relato de domínio de cor agradável. O número de dentes afetados pela FD teve correlação positiva significativa com a percepção geral da saúde bucal. Conclusão: A presença de FD leve em crianças com baixo nível socioeconômico, de uma população com alta prevalência da doença, não parece ter impacto na satisfação com a coloração dos dentes.

Resumen Introducción y objetivo: La fluorosis dental (FD) es un defecto en el desarrollo del esmalte como resultado de la sobreexposición al fluoruro y puede comprometer estéticamente al paciente. Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la relación entre la percepción estética y la fluorosis dental en una comunidad de bajos ingresos económicos y con alta prevalencia de FD. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal con 171 escolares de 8 a 12 años que viven en una comunidad socioeconómica baja (El Cedro, distrito de Ayapel, Córdoba, Colombia). Los estudiantes fueron examinados para caries dentaria (índices DMFT y dmft (criterios de la OMS) y para el fluorosis dentaria (índice TF). La percepción estética se verifico con el cuestionario sobre percepciones de los niños sobre la apariencia de los dientes (CQATA). El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante estadísticas descriptivas y las pruebas de chi cuadrado, t de Student, ANOVA de una vía y la regresión lineal (p ≤ 0.05). Resultados: La prevalencia de FD fue de 84.8% (n = 145). Solo la presencia de caries (DMFT/deft ≠ 0) tuvo un impacto significativo en las percepciones estéticas. Se encontró una tasa significativamente más baja en las niñas para el informe acerca de color agradable. La cantidad de dientes afectados por FD tuvo una correlación positiva significativa con la percepción general de la salud dental. Conclusión: La presencia de FD leve en niños con bajo nivel socioeconómico, en una población con una alta prevalencia de este defecto de esmalte, no pareció tener tuvo un impacto en la aceptción aceptar la apariencia del color de los dientes.

Associations between Urinary, Dietary, and Water Fluoride Concentrations among Children in Mexico and Canada.

Fluoride, which may be toxic to the developing brain, is added to salt in Mexico and drinking water in Canada to prevent dental caries. We compared childhood urinary fluoride (CUF) concentrations in Mexico City and Canada to characterize patterns of fluoride exposure in these two populations. We also examined associations of CUF with dietary and water fluoride levels in Mexico City and Canada respectively. We included 561 children (ages 4­6; mean age 4.8 years) from the Programming Research in Obesity, Growth, Environment, and Social Stress (PROGRESS) cohort in Mexico City, and 645 children (ages 2­6; mean age 3.7 years) from the Maternal­Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) cohort in Canada. We applied Spearman correlations, T-tests, ANOVA or covariate-adjusted linear regression to examine associations of CUF (mg/L; adjusted for specific gravity) with demographics and dietary or water fluoride concentrations. We used Welch equivalence testing to compare means across cohorts. Mean (SD) CUF was equivalent (t = 4.26, p < 0.001) in PROGRESS: 0.74 (0.42) and fluoridated Canadian communities: 0.66 (0.47), but lower in non-fluoridated Canadian communities: 0.42 (0.31) (t = −6.37, p < 0.001). Water fluoride concentrations were significantly associated with CUF after covariate adjustment for age and sex in MIREC (B = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.59, p < 0.001). In contrast, daily food and beverage fluoride intake was not associated with CUF in PROGRESS (p = 0.82). We found that CUF levels are comparable among children in Mexico City and fluoridated Canadian communities, despite distinct sources of exposure. Community water fluoridation is a major source of fluoride exposure for Canadian children.

Fluoride exposure and pubertal development in children living in Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Previous animal and ecological studies have provided evidence for an earlier sexual maturation in females in relation to fluoride exposure; however, no epidemiological studies have examined the association between fluoride exposure and pubertal development in both boys and girls using individual-level biomarkers of fluoride. Capitalizing on an ongoing Mexican birth cohort study, we examined the association between concurrent urinary fluoride levels and physical markers of pubertal development in children. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 157 boys and 176 girls at age 10-17 years living in Mexico City. We used ion-selective electrode-based diffusion methods to assess fluoride levels in urine, adjusting for urinary specific gravity. Pubertal stages were evaluated by a trained physician. Associations of fluoride with pubertal stages and age at menarche were studied using ordinal regression and Cox proportional-hazard regression, respectively. RESULTS: In the entire sample, the geometric mean and interquartile range (IQR) of urinary fluoride (specific gravity adjusted) were 0.59 mg/L and 0.31 mg/L, respectively. In boys, our analysis showed that a one-IQR increase in urinary fluoride was associated with later pubic hair growth (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.51-0.98, p = 0.03) and genital development (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53-0.95, p = 0.02). No significant associations were found in girls, although the direction was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood fluoride exposure, at the levels observed in our study, was associated with later pubertal development among Mexican boys at age 10-17 years. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Prenatal fluoride exposure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children at 6-12 years of age in Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic and animal-based studies have raised concern over the potential impact of fluoride exposure on neurobehavioral development as manifested by lower IQ and deficits in attention. To date, no prospective epidemiologic studies have examined the effects of prenatal fluoride exposure on behavioral outcomes using fluoride biomarkers and sensitive measures of attention. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the association between prenatal fluoride exposure and symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: 213 Mexican mother-children pairs of the Early Life Exposures to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) birth cohort study had available maternal urinary samples during pregnancy and child assessments of ADHD-like behaviors at age 6-12. We measured urinary fluoride levels adjusted for creatinine (MUFcr) in spot urine samples collected during pregnancy. The Conners' Rating Scales-Revised (CRS-R) was completed by mothers, and the Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II) was administered to the children. RESULTS: Mean MUFcr was 0.85 mg/L (SD = 0.33) and the Interquartile Range (IQR) was 0.46 mg/L. In multivariable adjusted models using gamma regression, a 0.5 mg/L higher MUFcr (approximately one IQR higher) corresponded with significantly higher scores on the CRS-R for DSM-IV Inattention (2.84 points, 95% CI: 0.84, 4.84) and DSM-IV ADHD Total Index (2.38 points, 95% CI: 0.42, 4.34), as well as the following symptom scales: Cognitive Problems and Inattention (2.54 points, 95% CI: 0.44, 4.63) and ADHD Index (2.47 points; 95% CI: 0.43, 4.50). The shape of the associations suggested a possible celling effect of the exposure. No significant associations were found with outcomes on the CPT-II or on symptom scales assessing hyperactivity. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of fluoride exposure during pregnancy were associated with global measures of ADHD and more symptoms of inattention as measured by the CRS-R in the offspring.

Prenatal Fluoride Exposure and Cognitive Outcomes in Children at 4 and 6-12 Years of Age in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Some evidence suggests that fluoride may be neurotoxic to children. Few of the epidemiologic studies have been longitudinal, had individual measures of fluoride exposure, addressed the impact of prenatal exposures or involved more than 100 participants. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to estimate the association of prenatal exposure to fluoride with offspring neurocognitive development. METHODS: We studied participants from the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) project. An ion-selective electrode technique was used to measure fluoride in archived urine samples taken from mothers during pregnancy and from their children when 6-12 y old, adjusted for urinary creatinine and specific gravity, respectively. Child intelligence was measured by the General Cognitive Index (GCI) of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities at age 4 and full scale intelligence quotient (IQ) from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) at age 6-12. RESULTS: We had complete data on 299 mother-child pairs, of whom 287 and 211 had data for the GCI and IQ analyses, respectively. Mean (SD) values for urinary fluoride in all of the mothers (n=299) and children with available urine samples (n=211) were 0.90 (0.35) mg/L and 0.82 (0.38) mg/L, respectively. In multivariate models we found that an increase in maternal urine fluoride of 0.5mg/L (approximately the IQR) predicted 3.15 (95% CI: -5.42, -0.87) and 2.50 (95% CI -4.12, -0.59) lower offspring GCI and IQ scores, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, higher prenatal fluoride exposure, in the general range of exposures reported for other general population samples of pregnant women and nonpregnant adults, was associated with lower scores on tests of cognitive function in the offspring at age 4 and 6-12 y. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP655.

Urinary and plasma fluoride levels in pregnant women from Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: There is need to assess the developmental neurotoxicity of fluoride. Our knowledge of prenatal fluoride exposure is challenged as few population-based studies have been conducted and these generally date back several decades, provide incomplete data on sociodemographic variables, and have methodological limitations. OBJECTIVE: To measure urinary and plasma fluoride levels across three time points in pregnant mothers who were enrolled in the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) birth cohort study. METHODS: Fluoride levels were characterized in archived urine and plasma from 872 pregnant mothers sampled from the ELEMENT cohort. Various statistical methods were used to analyze the fluoride data with particular consideration for changes across three stages of pregnancy and against sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: All samples had detectable levels of fluoride. The mean urinary and plasma fluoride levels were 0.91 and 0.0221mg/L respectively, and these were not statistically different across three stages of pregnancy. Fluoride levels correlated across the stages of pregnancy studied, with stronger correlations between neighboring stages. Urinary fluoride changed as pregnancy progressed with levels increasing until ~23 weeks and then decreasing until the end of pregnancy. For plasma fluoride, there was a decreasing trend but this was not of statistical significance. Creatinine-adjusted urinary fluoride levels did not associate consistently with any of the sociodemographic variables studied. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the most extensive characterization to date of fluoride exposure throughout pregnancy. These results provide the foundation to explore exposure-related health outcomes in the ELEMENT cohort and other studies.

The association between geographical factors and dental caries in a rural area in Mexico.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between markers of oral disease and geographical factors influencing access to dental care (DMFT score) among school children in Central Mexico. Retrospective data were collected during an international service-learning program between 2002 and 2009. A sample of 1,143 children (55% females; mean age 12.7±13.1years) was analyzed. The mean DMFT score, represented largely by untreated tooth decay, was 4.02 (4.76). The variables that had the most significant effect on the DMFT score were proportion of paved roads between the community and dental services, and the availability of piped potable water. The DMFT score increased in proportion to the percentage of paved roads. In contrast, the DMFT score decreased with the availability of piped potable water. Similar results were found for untreated tooth decay. The main variable associated with a significant increase in dental fillings was proportion of paved roads. Together with Brazilian reports, this is one of the first investigations of the association between geographical factors and oral health in an underdeveloped setting.

The association between geographical factors and dental caries in a rural area in Mexico / Caries dental moderada por variables geográficas espaciales en un medio rural en México / Cárie dentária moderada por variáveis geográficas espaciais em uma área rural do México

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between markers of oral disease and geographical factors influencing access to dental care (DMFT score) among school children in Central Mexico. Retrospective data were collected during an international service-learning program between 2002 and 2009. A sample of 1,143 children (55% females; mean age 12.7±13.1years) was analyzed. The mean DMFT score, represented largely by untreated tooth decay, was 4.02 (4.76). The variables that had the most significant effect on the DMFT score were proportion of paved roads between the community and dental services, and the availability of piped potable water. The DMFT score increased in proportion to the percentage of paved roads. In contrast, the DMFT score decreased with the availability of piped potable water. Similar results were found for untreated tooth decay. The main variable associated with a significant increase in dental fillings was proportion of paved roads. Together with Brazilian reports, this is one of the first investigations of the association between geographical factors and oral health in an underdeveloped setting.

El estudio caracterizó la asociación entre marcadores de salud bucal y de acceso deficiente a servicios dentales con variables geográficas. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de datos (recogidos de 2002 a 2009) de 1.143 niños (55% mujeres; edad media 12,7±13,1 años). El CPOD fue 4,02 (4,76), constituido primordialmente por caries sin tratar. Las variables con el mayor efecto sobre el CPOD fueron la proporción de caminos pavimentados entre el término municipal principal y comunidades aledañas, y la disponibilidad de agua potable entubada en estas últimas. El CPOD aumentó conforme lo hizo la proporción de los caminos pavimentados. Por el contrario, el CPOD disminuyó moderadamente conforme la disponibilidad de agua potable aumentó. La caries sin tratar exhibió tendencias similares. La única variable fuertemente asociada a un mayor número de tratamientos dentales fue la proporción de caminos pavimentados. Conjuntamente con informes brasileños, este es uno de los primeros estudios sobre la asociación de factores geográficos y salud bucodental en un entorno menos desarrollo.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação entre marcadores de doença bucal e fatores geográficos que influenciam o acesso aos cuidados dentários (índice CPOD) entre crianças escolares na região central do México. Dados retrospectivos foram coletados durante um programa de service-learning internacional entre 2002 e 2009. Uma amostra de 1.143 crianças (55% meninas; idade média 12,7±13,1 anos) foi analisada. A pontuação média do CPOD, representado em grande parte por cárie não tratada, foi de 4,02 (4,76). As variáveis que tiveram o efeito mais significativo na pontuação do CPOD foram a proporção de estradas pavimentadas entre a comunidade e os serviços odontológicos, e a disponibilidade de água encanada potável. A pontuação do CPOD aumentou em proporção com a quantidade de estradas pavimentadas. Em contraste, o CPOD diminuiu com a disponibilidade de água canalizada potável. Resultados semelhantes foram encontrados para a cárie dentária não tratada. A principal variável associada com um aumento significativo em obturações dentárias foi proporção de estradas pavimentadas. Esta é uma das primeiras investigações sobre a associação entre fatores geográficos e saúde bucal em um ambiente subdesenvolvido.

Dental caries experience and association to risk indicators of remote rural populations.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries continues to be the most common infectious disease of childhood; however, it is no longer pandemic, but endemic in specific sectors of populations. Therefore, it is important to identify and target patients at risk of developing caries in order to develop specific preventive measures. AIM: This study aims to test dental caries risk indicators for significant associations with caries severity. DESIGN: Five separate, small, isolated rural villages in Mexico with varying degrees of caries prevalence were selected for this observational study. A total of 248 children were examined. Risk indicators were assessed via questionnaire and water and salt fluoride analysis. Caries severity was measured by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-I). RESULTS: Prevalence of caries ranged from 95% to 100% for the five villages. Mean total DMFS (decayed, missing, or filled surfaces-permanent teeth) and dmfs (decayed, missing, or filled surfaces-primary teeth) scores ranged from 2.5 to 5.0 and from 11.3 to 16.9, respectively. Multivariable models showed age and drinking soda between meals to be significantly associated with DMFS, and drinking juice and being female were significantly associated with dmfs. CONCLUSION: DMFS and dmfs were high in each village, significantly different between villages, and associated with specific risk indicators.

Prevención de la caries: recomendaciones actualizadas y estatus del conocimiento directamente / Caries prevention: updated recommendations and status of the knowledge directly applied to the Mexican scope

Objetivo: Establecer el impacto potencial de los procedimientos clínicos y de salud pública en cuanto a caries, en términos de lineamientos explícitos de evaluación y en el contexto de la investigación científica/profesional directamente relevante a México. Métodos: Revisión estructurada de la literatura sobre temas de prevención y salud de caries en México (1990-2004); se cotejaron los hallazgos con esquemas actualizados de evaluación de la calidad de la evidencia científica y recomendaciones asociadas (Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care). Resultados: Los esquemas de evaluación arrojaron una clasificación cualitativa de la evidencia científica/profesional y de recomendaciones directamente relevantes a intervenciones preventivas de caries. Ciento diecinueve artículos publicados entre 1990 y 2004 (inclusive) cumplieron con criterios de solidez metodológica y fueron agrupados en dos áreas temáticas y cinco niveles de calidad de evidencia. Grosso modo, esta literatura no cubre con la diversidad suficiente ni a profundidad la multiplicidad de temas y retos pertinentes a la salud dental en México. Conclusiones: Este enfoque, permitió identificar la necesidad de continuar documentando ciertos problemas de salud epidemiológicamente importantes. Es fundamental establecer acciones y métodos claramente definidos para extender el conocimiento actualmente disponible, así como operacionalizar esta información en las actividades clínicas y de salud pública

Prevención en salud periodontal: recomendaciones actualizadas y estatus del conocimiento directamente aplicable al entorno mexicano / Periodontal health prevention: updated recommendations and status of the knowledge directly applied to the Mexican scope

Objetivo: Establecer, a través de la revisión de la literatura, el impacto potencial de los procedimientos clínicos y de salud pública en el bienestar de los tejidos periodontales, en términos de lineamientos explícitos de evaluación y en el contexto de la investigación científica/profesional relevante a México. Métodos: Revisión estructurada de la literatura sobre prevención y salud periodontal en México (1990-2004); se cotejaron los hallazgos con esquemas de evaluación de la calidad de la evidencia científica y recomendaciones asociadas (Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care). Resultados: Los esquemas de evaluación arrojaron una clasificación cualitativa de la evidencia científica/profesional y de recomendaciones directamente relevantes a intervenciones preventivas en salud periodontal. Treinta y un artículos publicados entre 1990 y 2004 (inclusive) cumplieron con criterios de solidez metodológica y fueron agrupados en seis niveles de calidad de evidencia. Grosso modo, esta literatura no cubre con diversidad, ni a profundidad la multiplicidad de temas y retos pertinentes a la salud periodontal en México. Conclusiones: Este enfoque permitió identificar la necesidad de continuar documentando ciertos problemas de salud epidemiológicamente importantes. Es fundamental establecer acciones y emplear métodos definidos para extender el conocimiento actualmente disponible, así como operacionalizar esta información en las actividades clínicas y de salud pública

Fluoride concentration of bottled water, tap water, and fluoridated salt from two communities in Mexico.

AIM: To determine fluoride levels in bottled water, tap water, and fluoridated salt from two communities in Mexico. DESIGN: Stratified random collection of water and salt samples from Mexico City and Veracruz, Mexico for fluoride analysis. METHODS: Samples were analysed using a combination fluoride ion-specific electrode. Results were compared using Student's t-test and mixed-model ANOVA. Water fluoride values were compared by type, community and collection area; salt fluoride values were compared by community and collection area. RESULTS: 197 tap water samples, 133 bottled water samples and 20 fluoridated salt samples were collected. The mean (+/- SD) fluoride content for all tap water was 0.20 +/- 0.17 microg F/g (ranging from 0.01 to 0.88 microg F/g) and 0.24 +/- 0.24 microg F/g for all bottled water (ranging from 0.01 to 2.80 microg F/g). This difference was not statistically significant. When results were analysed by city, the difference between tap water samples was statistically significant. Ten bottled water samples contained more than negligible fluoride (ranging from 0.7-2.8 microg F/g). Mean salt fluoride content was 230.0 +/- 49.8 microg F/g, which was within governmental regulation levels. CONCLUSION: Some water samples had amounts of fluoride exceeding the maximum recommended levels. Salt fluoride levels were within regulation limits. Monitoring of fluoride content of both bottled and tap water is strongly advised.

Total fluoride intake in children aged 22-35 months in four Colombian cities.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information on the level of total fluoride intake from food, beverages and toothpaste by children at the age of 22-25 months of low and high socioeconomic status (SES) in major Colombian cities. METHODS: Daily fluoride intake was assessed by the duplicate plate method and by recovered toothpaste solution during a 3-day period and afterwards analysed by the microdiffusion method. RESULTS: Mean daily fluoride intake was 0.11 (+/-0.10), 0.14 (+/-0.12), 0.10 (+/-0.07) and 0.07 (+/-0.06) mg/kg body weight (bw)/day in Bogota, Medellin, Manizales and Cartagena, respectively. The total fluoride intake was higher in low-SES subjects in the cities of Medellin and Bogota. In the high-SES children of the four cities, the average intakes ranged from 0.06 to 0.09 mg F/kg bw, whereas, the low-SES children in three cities had intakes between 0.11 and 0.21 mg F/kg bw (Cartagena, 0.07). Toothpaste (containing 1000-1500 ppm F, with 1500 ppm F being more common) accounted for approximately 70% of total fluoride intake, followed by food (24%) and beverages (<6%). More than half the children had their teeth brushed by an adult, on average twice a day, using 0.22-0.65 g of toothpaste. CONCLUSION: Children from three Colombian cities have a mean total daily fluoride intake above the 'optimal range'. Health authorities should promote an appropriate use of fluoridated dentifrices discouraging the use of dentifrices containing 1500 ppm F in children younger than 6 years of age and promoting a campaign of education of parents and oral health professionals on adequate toothbrushing practices.