Caries Experience Evidenced in Children having Dental Fluorosis

Background and objective: The purpose of this study wasto assess the prevalence of caries in children aged 8-13 yearshaving dental fluorosis and to determine the correlationbetween the grades of dental fluorosis and caries.Material and methods: 451 school children in the age groupof 8-13 years were selected for the study and were dividedinto six age groups. The children were assessed for dentalfluorosis according to Dean�s criteria Index of fluorosis, anddental caries according to WHO basic survey guidelines.The overall oral health status of the child was assessed byDMFT index.Results: The results of the present study revealed that theprevalence of grade 2 fluorosis was the highest and grade 5fluorosis was the lowest in all the age groups. Number ofchildren having dental fluorosis was highest in the age groupbetween 12-13 years followed by the age group between13-14 years. The overall DMFT increased as the age of thechildren increased in the different age groups. The DMFTincreased as the severity of fluorosis increased upto grade 2and then decreased from grade 3 to grade 5.