Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping of Fluoride Levels in Reticulated Water System and Dental Caries Experience in Pahang Preschool Children
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Abstract
This study identified the range of fluoridation levels, mapped the spatial pattern of the fluoridated public water supply, and correlated by mapping it with the caries trends of preschool children in Pahang. Materials and methods: Secondary data on fluoride level readings in water supply from reticulation points of water treatment plants (WTP) and dental caries experience of preschool children in Pahang from 2015 to 2019 was obtained from the Ministry of Health’s Health Information System. Each WTP's Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates were verified in Google Maps and Google Street View and further analysed using Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS). Results: All WTPs have had a suboptimal fluoride range (below 0.4 ppm) since 2018. Areas without fluoride in the water supply were in Kuantan, Bera, Rompin, and Cameron Highlands. Caries prevalence in preschool children in Pahang from 2015 to 2019 increased (42.1% to 42.9%). In 2019, the preschool children's mean caries index of 'dmft' (the sum number of decayed, missing, filled deciduous teeth per individual) was 2.45 (SD=±1.29). Rompin had the highest mean dmft (3.74) compared to others, with a dmft mean of 2.45 in the same year. Higher severity nationwide was reported in the National Oral Health Preschool Survey Malaysia (NOHPS) 2015 (dmft 4.8).Conclusion: All WTPs in Pahang have the suboptimal range of fluoride. With the decreasing trend of fluoride levels in the water supply, the caries experience among preschool children in Pahang increased by 0.8%.
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