Indices for Dental Fluorosis - An Overview and Critique

Fluoride is the most important caries-preventive agent in dentistry, the effects of fluoride on enamel formation causing dental fluorosis in man are cumulative, rather than requiring a specific threshold dose, depending on the total fluoride intake from all sources and the duration of fluoride exposure. Dental fluorosis is a chronic, fluoride-induced condition, in which enamel developed is disurpted and the enamel becomes hypomineralized. Fluorosis is continues to be an endemic problem. More and more areas are being discovered regularly that are affected by fluorosis in different parts of the world.Following the introduction of the first fluorosis index by Dean, a series of fluorosis indexes were introduced. It is important to appreciate the reasoning behind the development of certain indices. Studies have investigated the public's perceptions of the different levels of severity of fluorosis. This book provides an list of the different Indices used to assess the dental fluorosis and comparison of the indices used to describe the clinical appearance of dental fluorosis.