The significantly lower prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among the vegetarian group compared to the nonvegetarians would seem to be related to diet.

The aim of this study was to identify factors that might explain the similar level of prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in two neighboring areas in Tanzania: Kibosho; 0.2 mg fluoride/l, n = 96 and Arusha; 3.6 mg fluoride/l in drinking water, n = 80. Subjects aged 8-16 years were examined for dental fluorosis using the Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index (TFI). Based on the score on the upper left central incisor, the prevalence was not significantly different between the communities (TFI > or = 1). The severity, however, was significantly higher in Arusha. The areas had different food habits, e.g., type of weaning food used, and the use of magadi, a fluoride containing salt. In Arusha, 99% of the children had been given lishe, which is a magadi-free weaning food. Conversely in Kibosho, 61% used lishe while 39% used the magadi-containing weaning food kiborou. Magadi was used as food tenderizer in 'adult food' by 98% in Kibosho and 45% in Arusha. Residential area and use of magadi explained 5% of the variance in TFI scores in inter-area analyses. In intra-area analyses, weaning food in Kibosho and use of magadi in Arusha had a significant effect, but the total explained variance was only 5 and 4%, respectively. Apart from fluoride in the drinking water, other sources of fluoride such as use of magadi in weaning food (kiborou) and in the adult food may partly explain the high prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in the community with 0.2 mg fluoride per liter in the drinking water.

A cross-sectional study of 143 children aged 10-14 years was carried out to identify factors associated with the severity of dental fluorosis in 2 areas (Moshi/Kibosho: n = 63/80) with fluoride (F) concentrations < 0.4 mg F/L in the drinking water. Dental fluorosis was recorded under field conditions using the Thylstrup and Fejerskov index (TFI). The score on tooth 21 was used to indicate the severity. The prevalence of dental fluorosis in Moshi at TFI score > or =1 was 60% and at TFI score > or =5 it was 10%. The corresponding values in Kibosho were 100% and 34%, respectively. Background variables pertained primarily to the child's first 6 years of life. In Moshi and Kibosho, 65% and 97% of children, respectively, used magadi, a fluoride-containing food tenderizer. In Moshi, the risk of having TFI score > or =2 was significantly higher among users of magadi (odds ratio (OR) = 5). Kiborou, a traditional homemade weaning food (porridge) cooked with magadi, was used only in Kibosho. Users of kiborou (36%) were at significantly higher risk (OR = 3) of developing fluorosis at severity TFI > or =4 than the users of lishe, another type of weaning food. All children in Moshi and 64% in Kibosho used lishe, which is cooked without magadi. Magadi and kiborou were significant risk indicators. Thus, it seems that the unexpectedly high prevalence of dental fluorosis and the observed differences in fluorosis prevalence and severity may be partly explained by F exposure from magadi.

The aim of this investigation was to assess the role of predictors of caries experience among children in urban and rural areas of northern Tanzania. Children of the different communities had varying dietary habits and consumed water with varying fluoride (F) concentration. Subjects (n=256) aged 9-14 years were examined in high-F areas (3.6 mg F/l, Arusha and Arusha Meru, n=101) and low-F areas (<0.4 mg F/l, Moshi and Kibosho, n=155). Dental caries was assessed under field conditions using the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index and the WHO criteria. The prevalence of caries was 14%. The mean DMFT score was 0.22 (n=256), the range between areas 0.07-0.66. Carious lesions were mainly observed in mandibular first molars. Logistic regression analyses indicated that subjects in the high-F and urban Arusha municipality were at a significantly higher risk of dental caries than children in the low-F areas (odds ratio [OR] 2.6). Controlling for ethnicity, children in urban areas were at higher risk for caries (OR 5.4) than children living in low-F rural Kibosho.

Abstract– People typically attribute lower health risks to themselves than to others, a phenomenon called unrealistic optimism. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate how women's perceived susceptibility to tooth decay is related to information from various sources, trust in these sources and personal experience with risk factors. Comparative risk judgments for oral health hazards were also investigated. Methods: Two samples of women were included. In 1997, a random sample of adults (n=1190) aged 25 years, from three counties of western Norway, were invited to complete postal questionnaires at home. A total of 735 adults (62%) responded, of whom 374 (51%) were women. During July 1997, a convenient sample of 140 women, aged 15–40 years, participated in a structured interview at a Maternal Child Health clinic in Arusha town, Tanzania. Results: Among the Tanzanian women, information from health workers and media, trust in these sources, symptoms of tooth decay and intake of sugared foods were significantly related to perceived risk for tooth decay. Pearson's correlation coefficients varied from r=0.47, P < 0.001 (trust in health workers) to r=0.20, P < 0.05 (intake of sugared foods). In both groups of women all mean ratings of comparative risk differed significantly (P < 0.001) from the midpoint of the scales (marked same risk as others), as tested by one sample t‐test (test value=0). The range of t‐values was from t=–12.7 (dental fluorosis) to t=–18.2 (tooth decay) and from t=–4.9 (gum disease) to t=–8.3 (loss of teeth) among the Tanzanian and Norwegian women, respectively. Conclusions: When judging their susceptibility for tooth decay, Tanzanian women seem to consider both information from health workers and their personal risk experience. Optimism in comparative risk judgments for oral health hazards was evident among both the Tanzanian and the Norwegian women investigated. These findings are discussed in the context of implications for oral health education.