Author:

• Nilce Tomita - Tomita NE - Bauru, São Paulo - Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru-USP - <netomit@USP.BR>

Thematic Area:

Não Categorizado

Abstract:

The epidemiology of dental fluorosis derives from surveys carried out in recent years, as a result of a better comprehension of metabolic aspects of fluoride in the human organism and oral health concerns. Systematic reviews and critical analyses allow a reflection on the role of fluorosis amidst public health priorities. This reflection aims at presenting studies carried out on fluorosis in the period of 1993-2006, thus contributing to this important debate. The period of 1993-2004, delimits the interval between the 2nd and the 3rd National Conferences on Oral Health, and, in the subsequent period of 2005-2006, the search of primary data presented in scientific meetings confirmed the findings in the literature, showing, too, that the Brazilian scientific agenda was not substantially influenced by the discussions engaged during the 3rd National Conference on Oral Health. Most studies concentrate on urban areas and the predominance, in Brazil, of “very mild” and “mild” levels of fluorosis shows that there is no compromising in terms of functional order. The low perception of fluorosis by the population, along with its low prevalence, evokes the necessary debate on public health issues, in the country. Since the national scientific production constitutes an important source of knowledge to subsidize the elaboration of public policies for the health sector, the successive and punctual studies analyzed show that, as far as fluorosis is concerned, the epidemiological diagnosis reaffirms the need, importance and safety of the fluoridation of public water supplies, as a public health measure.

Key words: epidemiology, dental fluorosis, children

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