Prevalence of fluorosis in some villages of Dungarpur District of Rajasthan

A Survey was made in fifteen villages of Dungarpur district of Rajasthan for the prevalence of dental and skeletal fluorosis in villagers and their domestic animals. Fluoride concentration (mean) in drinking waters of these villages varied between 1.7 to 6.1 mg/L. An overall 73.0 and 82.9 percent prevalence of dental fluorosis was observed in children (below 18 years age) and adults respectively. Cent percent prevalence of dental fluorosis in children and adults was observed at 5.2 and 3.8 mg/L fluoride concentration respectively. The prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in adults was 32.5 percent and the highest prevalence (60.8%) was observed at 6,1 mg/L fluoride concentration. Male subjects relatively showed higher prevalence of skeletal fluorosis. Out of 1521 cattle and 471 buffaloes, 1007 (66.2%) and 318 (67.5%) showed the evidence of dental fluorosis. Cent-percent prevalence of dental fluorosis in calves of both animal species was observed at the above 2.8 mg/L fluoride concentration. The highest prevalence of skeletal fluorosis, 61.6 percent in cattle and 66.6 percent in buffaloes has been observed at 6.0 mg/L fluoride concentration. Simultaneously, 1260 goats and 580 sheeps were also examined for the evidence of fluorosis but not a single case was detected.