Impact of dental fluorosis on quality of life of a group of Bedouin children in a rural region in South Sinai

الملخص EN

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 a group of Egyptian 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 Sarabit El Khadem region in South Sinai with number of population 511.

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 drinking water in a rural area in South Sinai was 1.4 mg / L, mean fluorosis status in children was 1.16.

there was strong positive correlation significance between dental fluorosis and items ; “self concious’ & “less satisfying life”.

also there was moderate positive significance between dental fluorosis & items “difficult relaxation” & “a bit irritable”.

conclusion : children in Sarabit El Khadem had good perception to the value of quality of life and OHQoL revealed that DF had reasonable impact on quality of life of Bedouin Egyptian children.