Publication:

Oral health status of school children living in area with high environmental arsenic concentrations: a cross-sectional study

Background Chronic arsenic exposure, especially via the consumption of contaminated ground water has far reaching consequences on human health. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of arsenic on oral health status of children.

Methods 100 children selected from Sanduru, Bellary district, North Karnataka (ground water is not contaminated with arsenic) were categorized as control group and 100 children of age 10 to 14 years from Hutti, Raichur district, North Karnataka (ground water contaminated with arsenic) were categorized as the study group. Water samples were analysed for arsenic and fluoride levels. Chronic arsenic exposure in children was determined by measuring the arsenic levels in their hair and nail samples. Enamel defects, oral mucosal lesions and tooth eruption timing were recorded in both the groups using the modified WHO oral health assessment form, 2013.

Results There was a significant increase in the arsenic content in the hair and nail samples of children in study group. Prevalence of enamel defects were significantly higher and a marked delay in eruption of permanent was seen among the study population.

Conclusions Chronic arsenic exposure could be a possible cause for the enamel defects and the eruption delay seen in children residing in Hutti, Raichur district, North Karnataka.