Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in a Mexican community with above-optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in children living in a community at 2066 m above sea level. The water fluoride concentration of this community was 2.8 ppm. The population selected encompassed 10-12-yr-old schoolchildren who were life-long residents of the area. The modified Dean Index was used to estimate the severity of fluorosis. A total of 93 children participated in the study. They all showed evidence of dental fluorosis. Fifty-seven percent had moderate fluorosis, and 19% severe fluorosis. The high prevalence and severity of fluorosis in the population examined emphasized the need to study the factors determining dental fluorosis in Mexican communities.