Impact of dental Fluorosis on quality of life of a group of Children in a Rural area in Nubia Region.

Abstract

Background: Dental fluorosis is an oral condition caused by the ingestion of fluoride ions present mainly in drinking
water. High fluoride level in drinking water may cause dental signs and symptoms that may affect the individual’s
quality of life. Aim: Assess dental fluorosis prevalence among Nubian children and estimate its effect on the quality of life
through an oral health related quality of life questionnaire. Methods: The current study was performed on participants
with age range 7-14 years in a rural region in Nubia with number of population 202. Subjects were examined clinically
for Dental fluorosis using modified Dean’s Index. Quality of life of children was evaluated using Oral Health related
Quality of Life questionnaire (OHQoL). Results: it was found that mean fluoride level of water in Nubia was 8 mg/L,
mean Fluorosis status in children was 2.31. There was no correlation between DF and OHQoL domains except for; ‘self
concious’ and ‘difficult to relax’ items which recorded moderate positive significant correlation. Conclusion: OHQoL
revealed that DF had low impact on quality of life of Nubian children.