Investigation on prevalent condition of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis after Water-improvement Projects in the endemic fluorosis areas of Qingtongxia City

OBJECTIVE The survey is conducted to evaluate the result of water-improvement project aimed in eliminating the prevalence of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis in endemic fluorosis areas of Qingtongxia City. METHODS By applying epidemiological sample survey method, some 670 children and 1 400 adults (﹥25 years) had been examined in dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis in Yesheng 5th team of Yesheng Township, where endemic fluorosis was seriously prevailed and had become water-improvement area in 2006; in Xinqiao 5th team Daba Township, endemic fluorosis mild prevailed; and Huashigou 5th team in Daba Township was not included in water-improvement area. RESULTS There was an evident difference in the dental fluorosis in water-improvement areas and the places without sater-improvement projects (χ 2 = 9.954, P ﹤0.05). There was an evident difference in skeletal fluorosis in water-improvement areas and the places without water-improvement projects areas (χ 2 = 13.098, P ﹤ 0.05). Since the drinking water improvement, the fluoride content in drinking water was 0.24-0.32 mg/L. CONCLUSION After water-improvement projects in the endemic fluorosis areas of Qingtongxia City, drinking water conforms to the hygiene requirement. The dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis are still damaging the health of population.