Prevalence of Dental Fluorosis Among Basic School Children Aged (8-14) Years in Sulaymaniyah City

Background and objectives: Fluoride is supported by much scientific evidence for its carious preventing effect. It has an important role in public health, but an excess amount of fluoride results in a condition called fluorosis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fluorosis among basic schoolchildren aged eight to fourteen years old in the Sulaymaniyah City/ Kurdistan region of Iraq and find relations of fluorosis with age, sex, and other demographic variables. Methods: in a cross-sectional study design, among 174203, 798 basic schoolchildren were chosen by multistage sampling method in Sulaimaniyah city in October and November 2022 and examined by modified Dean’s fluorosis index to assess fluorosis status. A form was also provided to be filled out and signed by the parents, which contained informed consent, demographical background, and information about the study. Results: Of 798 candidates examined, 389 (48.7%) were male and 408 (51.1%) females. The prevalence of fluorosis among participants was 18.54%, and the majority of cases were questionable 69 (47.58%) and very mild fluorosis 69 (47.58%), the rest were mild fluorosis 10 (6.89%), moderate fluorosis 1 (0.68%), and no severe fluorosis. There was a significant difference in fluorosis status between ages (p<0.001), but other demographic data have no statistically significant effect on fluorosis status, except for education of the mother p value<0.0001. Conclusions: Dental fluorosis is a public health concern in Sulaymaniyah City, the cause appears to be dietary sources other than drinking water which we recommend to be further investigated before any fluoridation programs.