Dental fluorosis is an enamel opacity resulting from the ingestion of excessive amounts of fluoride (chronic exposure) during tooth formation. Estimation of this problem among populations exposed to fluoride sources is necessary and should be performed periodically to monitor changes in levels and patterns in the disorder. This research aimed to describe and compare two prevalence studies to estimate the occurrence of dental fluorosis in a population of schoolchildren in Ribeirão Pires, São Paulo State, Brazil, conducted in 1997 and 2000. The methods used in each study are described briefly and the results compared. Methodological aspects and implications for public health are discussed.
Public Health Dentistry; Dental Fluorosis; Prevalence Studies
