The effect of lifetime fluoridation exposure on dental caries experience of younger rural adults. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crocombe, LA; Brennan, DS; Slade, GD; Stewart, JF; Spencer, AJ
• Is Part Of: Australian dental journal. Volume 60:Number 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Dentistry -- Periodicals; Dentistry -- Periodicals; Dentisterie -- Australie -- Périodiques; Tandheelkunde; 617.6
• DOI: 10.1111/adj.12243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-0421

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="adj12243-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="adj12243-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>The aim of this study was to confirm whether the level of lifetime fluoridation exposure is associated with lower dental caries experience in younger adults (15–46 years).</p> </sec> <sec id="adj12243-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Data of the cohort born between 1960 and 1990 residing outside Australia's capital cities from the 2004−2006 Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health were analysed. Residential history questionnaires were used to determine the percentage of each person's lifetime exposure to fluoridated water (<50%/50+%). Examiners recorded decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT). Socio‐demographic variables, periodontal risk factors, and access to dental care were included in multivariable least‐squares regression models.</p> </sec> <sec id="adj12243-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In bivariate analysis, the higher level of fluoridation category had significantly lower DMFT (mean 6.01 [SE = 0.62]) than the lower level of fluoridation group (9.14 [SE = 0.73] <italic>p</italic> < 0.01) and lower numbers of filled teeth (4.08 [SE = 0.43], 7.06 [SE = 0.62], <italic>p</italic> < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, the higher number of full‐time equivalent dentists per 100 000 people was associated with a lower mean number of missing teeth (regression coefficient estimate = –1.75, <italic>p</italic> = 0.03), and the higher level of water fluoridation with a lower mean DMFT (–2.45, <italic>p</italic> < 0.01) and mean number of filled teeth (–2.52, <italic>p</italic> < 0.01).</p> </sec> <sec id="adj12243-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The higher level of lifetime fluoridation exposure was associated with substantially lower caries experience in younger rural adults, largely due to a lower number of filled teeth.</p> </sec> </abstract>