Fluorosis and Dental Caries in the Hydrogeological Environments of Southeastern Communities in the State of Morelos, Mexico

• Published in: Journal of environmental protection (Irvine, Calif.) Calif.), 2013-09, Vol.4 (9), p.994-1001
• Main Authors: Varela-González, Gricelda G., García-Pérez, Alvaro, Huizar-Alvarez, Rafael, Irigoyen-Camacho, Maria Esther, Espinoza-Jaramillo, Maria M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2152-2197; 2152-2219
• DOI: 10.4236/jep.2013.49115

The objectives of this study is to identify the hydrogeological characteristics and fluoride (F-) concentration in drinking water in the southeast of the state of Morelos, Mexico, and to estimate the association between the prevalence and severity of fluorosis, dental caries, and water F- concentration. A hydrogeological model was developed to determine the vertical distribution of lithostratigraphic units, rocks' hydraulic conductivities, and groundwater flow characteristics. A total of 649 schoolchildren from two communities received oral examinations. Fluorosis was assessed using the Thylstrup and Fejerskov index and the dental caries were assessed with the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index. The region groundwater was extracted from an inter-granular aquifer consisting of volcano clasts of intermediate volcanic chemical composition. The increasing extraction of underground water was associated with deeper water flows and higher F- concentration. In the community with high F- concentration, a third of the children showed objectionable levels of fluorosis.