The Oral Health Status and Behavior of Middle School Students According to Fluoridation Area

This study is aimed at comparing the oral health status of middle students who lives in water fluoridation areas and those that do not in Ulju . Out of the total of 627 research subjects, 234 are from water fluoridation areas, 444 are from non-fluoridation areas, 348 are male, and 330 are female. The examination of the oral status according to fluoridation revealed 0.16 dental caries for fluoridation areas and 0.09 for nonfluoridation areas.63.8% from fluoridation areas said that food got caught between their teeth, whereas 63.8% from non-fluoridation areas responded likewise(p=0.026). 32.5% from fluoridation areas responded that their teeth hurt when they ate cold or hot food, while 67.5%(p=0.026) from non-fluoridation areas responded in the same way. The study proves that the fluoridation project expects a great effect for the prevention of dental caries with a relatively small cost, making it necessary to actively educate citizens on the prevention, effect, and safety of the fluoridation projects toward dental caries.