FLUORIDE EXPOSURE AND PREVALENCE OF NON-CAVITATED LESIONS IN CHILDREN: A CAMBRA-BASED ANALYSIS
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Keywords
fluoride exposure, non-cavitated lesions, caries prevention, caries risk assessment
Abstract
Background: Early detection and prevention of dental caries are pivotal in paediatric oral health. Non-cavitated lesions (NCLs) represent a critical stage in the caries continuum, where preventive strategies can halt or reverse disease progression. While fluoride exposure is a cornerstone of caries prevention, its relationship with the prevalence of NCLs remains underexplored in the context of individualized caries risk assessments.
Objective: This study investigates the association between systemic and topical fluoride exposure and the prevalence of non-cavitated lesions in children, using the Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) model as a diagnostic and preventive framework.
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on a paediatric population aged 6–12 years in Abbottabad after obtaining ethical approval from the institution. Participants were stratified based on fluoride exposure history (community water fluoridation, topical applications, fluoride toothpaste use) and assessed using CAMBRA protocols to determine caries risk levels. The presence and distribution of NCLs were evaluated through clinical examinations and standardized criteria.
Results: Findings reveal a significant inverse correlation between consistent fluoride exposure and the prevalence of non-cavitated lesions, particularly among moderate- and high-risk groups identified by CAMBRA. Children with inadequate fluoride exposure showed a higher incidence of NCLs, despite similar oral hygiene practices and dietary habits.
Conclusion: Fluoride exposure, particularly when integrated within a CAMBRA-based risk assessment model, plays a vital role in reducing early-stage carious lesions in children. These findings support a personalized, preventive approach to pediatric dental care and underscore the need for policy and clinical strategies that ensure equitable access to fluoride interventions.
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Dr. Usman Nazir
Assistant Professor Pediatric Dentistry, Bacha Khan College of Dentistry, Mardan, Pakistan
Dr. Munesh Kumar
Resident Operative Dentistry & Endodontics, LUMHS Jamshoro, Pakistan
Dr. Kashif Ali Shah
Senior Lecturer, Oral Biology Department, Abbottabad International Medical Institute, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Dr. Aasim Masood
Assistant Professor Community and Preventive Dentistry, KMU-Institute of Dental Sciences, Kohat
Dr. Kiran Aslam
Assistant Professor Community Dentistry and Preventive Dentistry, Abbottabad International Medical Institute, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Dr. Syeda Faiza Gilani
Lecturer, KMU-Institute of Dental Sciences, Kohat, Pakistan