An Epidemiological and Public Health Study on Dental Caries Caused by Fluoride: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32628/IJSRCH261112Keywords:
Fluoride, Dental caries, Dental fluorosis, Bastar, Tribal health, Public health epidemiologyAbstract
Fluoride is recognized globally for its dual role in oral health preventing dental caries at optimal levels while causing dental and skeletal fluorosis when consumed in excess. In several regions of India, particularly tribal and rural belts, naturally high fluoride concentrations in groundwater pose significant public health challenges. Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, predominantly inhabited by tribal populations, is one such fluoride-endemic area. The present review critically synthesizes epidemiological evidence on fluoride exposure, dental caries, and dental fluorosis in Bastar and comparable regions. It explores groundwater fluoride contamination, oral health status, socioeconomic vulnerability, dietary patterns, and community awareness, highlighting the paradoxical coexistence of dental caries and fluorosis. The review also discusses public health implications and preventive strategies relevant to fluoride-affected tribal regions.
References
Agrawal, A. (n.d.). Prevalence of dental fluorosis among children of Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh. Unpublished/Institutional study. (Use “n.d.” only if year/journal is not available; if later identified, replace accordingly.)
Beg, M. K., Srivastav, S. K., Carranza, E. J. M., & De Smeth, J. B. (2011). High fluoride incidence in groundwater and its potential health effects in parts of Raigarh District, Chhattisgarh, India. Current Science, 100(5), 750–754.
Beg, M. K., Kumar, N., Srivastava, S. K., & Carranza, E. J. M. (2023). Interpretation of fluoride groundwater contamination in Tamnar area, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, India. Earth, 4(3), 626–654. https://doi.org/10.3390/earth4030036 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/earth4030033
Choubisa, S. L. (2022). Status of chronic fluoride exposure and its adverse health consequences in the tribal people of the scheduled area of Rajasthan, India. Fluoride, 55(1), 8–30.
Dean, H. T. (1942). The investigation of physiological effects by the epidemiological method. Public Health Reports, 57(22), 787–791.
Fejerskov, O., Ekstrand, J., & Burt, B. A. (1996). Fluoride in dentistry (2nd ed.). Munksgaard.
Gitte, S. V., Sabat, R., & Kamble, K. (2015). Epidemiological survey of fluorosis in a village of Bastar division of Chhattisgarh State, India. International Journal of Medicine & Public Health, 5(3), 207–210. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8598.161483 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8598.161539
Hussain, J., Hussain, I., & Sharma, K. C. (2010). Fluoride and health hazards: Community perception in a fluorotic area of central Rajasthan (India): An arid environment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 162(1–4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-0769-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-0771-6
Pathivada, L., Prabhat, S. K., Garg, N., Karthik, K. M., Kajapuram, P., & Kumar, B. (2024). Evaluation of oral health status among children of Halba tribe in Bastar Division of Chhattisgarh, India. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 17(10), 1121–1126. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2763 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2982
World Health Organization. (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality (4th ed., incorporating the 1st addendum). WHO Press.https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549950
