Validation of Fingernail Fluoride Concentration as a Predictor of Risk for Dental Fluorosis

Autor(es)

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]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[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

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Caries Research; v. 46, n. 4, p. 394-400, 2012.
• Citações Web of Science: 8

Resumo

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)

• Processo FAPESP: 01/00237-3 - Influencia de dentifricio e verniz fluoretados na concentracao de fluor presente nas unhas das maos de criancas.
• Beneficiário: Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 02/07875-8 - Unha como biomarcador de exposição ao flúor em humanos: influência da idade e comparação das unhas das mãos com as dos pés de indivíduos com vários níveis de exposição ao flúor: correlação com a saliva da parótida
• Beneficiário: Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular