Caries Prevalence among 6- to 16-Year-Old Students in Jamaica 12 Years after the Introduction of Salt Fluoridation

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Abstract
The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to evaluate the caries prevalence among 6- to 16-year-old students in a rural community in Jamaica, where salt fluoridation was introduced in 1987. Data were obtained from dental examinations of 1,558 students in 1999. The mean (SD) dmfs/DMFS values were 7.9 (10.7) for the 6-year-old children, 4.1 (4.9) for the 12-year-old students and 8.2 (8.1) for the 15-year-olds; mean (SD) dmft/DMFT scores were 3.2 (3.5), 2.2 (2.1) and 3.8. (3.3), respectively. An Unmet Restorative Index of 88–99.9% was observed. Opacities due to fluorosis were recorded for 48% of the children examined. The results indicate a reduced caries prevalence for all age groups since salt fluoridation began. However, since various forms of fluoride might have contributed to the reduction, conclusions concerning salt fluoridation as the main factor must be drawn with caution. The effectiveness of salt fluoridation in Jamaica should be re-examined more closely.