Associations between the total fluoride content of dental plaque and individual caries experience in Australian children

Abstract

Individual caries experience [DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth)] and the total fluoride content of dental plaque were determined for 72 schoolchildren, aged 9.7-13.0 yr, lifelong residents in 1 of 3 New South Wales towns, where the fluoride levels of the reticulated water supplies were: Katoomba, < 0.1 parts/106; Sydney, 1.0 parts/106 for 4 yr; and Yass, 1.0 parts/106 for 16 yr, prior to sampling. The mean fluoride content of plaque in Sydney (22.6, SD = .+-. 16.8 parts/106) and Yass (25.6, SD = .+-. 16.4 parts/106) differed significantly (t = 2.27, P < 0.05 and t = 3.30, P < 0.02, respectively) from that in Katoomba (13.5, SD = .+-. 8.3 parts/106). Significant inverse associations were demonostrated between total plaque fluoride and individual caries experience (DMFT) in Sydney (r = -0.45, P < 0.025) and overall (r = -0.28, P < 0.010). Inverse trends were established between plaque quantity (dry weight of plaque collected) and fluoride levels. No associations were demonstrated between fluoride treatment (dentifrice, tablets or topical application) and plaque fluoride, DMFT or plaque quantity.