| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Buzalaf, M. A. R.
[1]
;
Massaro, C. S.
[1]
;
Rodrigues, M. H. C.
[1]
;
Fukushima, R.
[1]
;
Pessan, J. P.
[2]
;
Whitford, G. M.
[3]
;
Sampaio, F. C.
[4]
Total Authors: 7
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Biol Sci, Bauru Dent Sch, BR-17012901 Bauru, SP - Brazil
[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, Aracatuba Dent Sch, Dept Pediat Dent & Publ Hlth, Aracatuba - Brazil
[3] Georgia Hlth Sci Univ, Dept Oral Biol, Augusta, GA - USA
[4] Univ Fed Paraiba, Hlth Sci Ctr, BR-58059900 Joao Pessoa, Paraiba - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Caries Research; v. 46, n. 4, p. 394-400, 2012. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 8 |
| Abstract | |
The aim of this study was to validate the use of fingernail fluoride concentrations at ages 2-7 years as predictors of the risk for developing dental fluorosis in the permanent dentition. Fifty-six children of both genders (10-15 years of age) had their incisors and premolars examined for dental fluorosis using the Thylstrup-Fejerskov index. Fingernail fluoride concentrations were obtained from previous studies when children were 2-7 years of age. Data were analyzed by unpaired t test, ANOVA, and Fisher's exact test when the fingernail fluoride concentrations were dichotomized (<= 2 or > 2 mu g/g). Children with dental fluorosis had significantly higher fingernail fluoride concentrations than those without the condition, and the concentrations tended to increase with the severity of fluorosis (r(2) = 0.47, p < 0.0001). Using a fingernail fluoride concentration of 2 mu g/g at ages 2-7 years as a threshold, this biomarker had high sensitivity (0.84) and moderate specificity (0.53) as a predictor for dental fluorosis. The high positive predictive value indicates that fingernail fluoride concentrations should be useful in public health research, since it has the potential to identify around 80% of children at risk of developing dental fluorosis. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel (AU) | |