Dental fluorosis in volcanic areas: Analysis of associated factors in a Colombian school population

Abstract

Introduction. Dental fluorosis is an endemic problem in southern Colombia, especially due to its proximity to volcanic areas and their waters.
Objective. To identify the prevalence and factors associated with the development of dental fluorosis in the school population of the Municipality of La Cruz Nariño.
Materials and methods. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out, where clinical, sociodemographic variables, habits, diet and knowledge were collected, through a questionnaire administered to parents or guardians and a clinical evaluation of schoolchildren between 8 and 12 years from two educational institutions, after standardization of the researchers. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed with proportions and measures of central tendency. The multivariate analysis was performed using a negative binomial regression where rate ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals were presented.
Results. The results of the 116 participants with a mean age of 9.80 (1.38) years, showed a mean Dean's index of 2.36 (0.86). A higher Dean's index was found associated with older age (p<0.003), brand of salt (p<0.007), higher consumption of legumes (p<0.001), higher consumption of cereals (p<0.038), higher consumption of fish (p<0.025) and lower consumption of red meat (p<0.017).
Conclusion. Dental fluorosis is a multifactorial problem that requires important approaches from the territories, their particularities, and public health to control the high prevalence levels.