Analysis of monitoring results of endemic fluorosis in Shandong province in 2009

Objective To investigate the current status of endemic fluorosis in Shandong province, and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies for prevention and control of the disease. Methods According to "The National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2008", thirty-four counties were divided into mild, moderate and severe endemic fluorosis areas and a village was randomly selected from each category of the area to carry out the monitoring of endemic fluorosis. The content of fluoride in drinking water and urine was determined by F-ion selective electrode, dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was diagnosed by Dean method and skeletal fluorosis diagnosed by clinic and X-rays. Results The monitoring was done in 70 water-improving villages in 34 counties, among which 54 villages had water fluoride content ≤ 1.00 mg/L and accounted for 77.14%(54/70), 16 villages had water fluoride content ＞ 1.00 mg/L and accounted for 22.86%(16/70), the highest water fluoride content was 4.46 mg/L. The monitoring was also carried out in 32 non-water-improving villages in 34 counties, among which 9 villages had water fluoride content ≤ 1.00 mg/L and accounted for 28.12%(9/32), 23 villages had water fluoride content ＞ 1.00 mg/L and accounted for 71.88% (23/32), the highest water fluoride content was 4.09 mg/L. The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 45.81%(1988/4340), the index of dental fluorosis was 0.97 and the rate of dental damage was 6.91%(300/4340). The urinary fluoride values above 1.40 mg/L were found in 55.33%(1417/2657) of children aged 8 to 12, with the highest urinary fluoride concentrations was 18.53 mg/L. The rate of skeletal fluorosis by clinic and X-rays in adults older than 16 years were 4.25% (2462/57 968) and 28.40%(23/81 ), respectively. The urinary fluoride values above 1.60 mg/L were found in 55.86% (1130/2023) of adults older than 16 years, with the highest urinary fluoride concentrations was 25.44 mg/L. Conclusions Endemic fluorosis in Shandong province has not yet been effectively controlled,control situation is still grim. Prevention efforts need to be further strengthened. Key words: Fluorosis, Dental;  Osteofluorosis;  Data collection;  Outcome assessment