Caries Prevalence and Dental Fluorosis in German Children in Areas with Different Concentrations of Fluoride in Drinking Water Supplies

Caries prevalence and dental fluorosis were recorded in children 6–16 years of age. Children born and grown up in an area with naturally fluoridated water (1–1.5 ppm F––) had a mean DMFS score of 2.3 ± 0.3. Children who had consumed naturally fluoridated water for the 2 years prior to the study had a DMFS score of 5.6 ± 0.9. Children from the control area (0.1 ppm F––) had a DMFS score of 6.5 ± 0.5. Children living in the natural F area showed more moderate and severe fluorosis than children from the control group. There is some evidence indicating that additional ingestion of fluoride tablets caused a higher prevalence of fluorosis in the F area.