Dental caries and fluorosis in Arussi province, Ethiopia

A dental health survey was carried out in the Arussi province in Ethiopia. The survey comprised 1,700 persons between 6 and 54 years of age in five age groups from four areas of the province. The present paper deals with findings on dental fluorosis and dental caries. Dental fluorosis was found in 18% of the subjects, mainly in a very mild form. The fluoride content of the water (0.2-0.3 part/10(6) F-) in combination with a high tea consumption was assumed to give a fluoride intake optimal for caries prevention. The prevalence of dental caries was low. Thirty-eight percent of the 6-7-year-old group had decayed primary teeth and 51% of the total sample had decayed permanent teeth. Comparisons with a study from 1958 revealed that the prevalence of dental caries had increased in the last few decades, probably due to the recently adopted habit of using sugar in the diet.