Abstract
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 μg/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 (r2 = 0.47, p < 0.0001). Using a fingernail fluoride concentration of 2 μg/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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 394-400 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Caries Research |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biomarker
- Dental fluorosis
- Fingernail
- Fluoride
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Dentistry