Publication reviewed:
Relation between dental fluorosis and intelligence quotient in school children of Bagalkot district
Shivaprakash PK, Ohri K, Noorani H — 2011 — J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 29(2):117-20
WHAT THE RESEARCH FOUND
The study found a possible association between fluorosis and IQ. But based on this study’s evidence, no causal relationship can be determined. Potential confounders such as environmental pollutants are not accounted for in the statistical analysis or discussion.
LEVEL OF RIGOR
- A – Strong methodology and unbiased, appeared in peer-reviewed in respected science journal
- B – Strong methodology and unbiased, not in peer-reviewed journal
- C – Weak methodology and/or biased
- F – Not a scientific finding
SUPPORT FROM OTHER STUDIES
- High – All the peer-reviewed research to date support these findings, and a significant amount of research has been done in this area.
- Medium – Most, but not all, peer-reviewed research to date support these findings, and a significant amount of research has been done in this area.
- Low – Not a lot of research has been done in this area, or some, but not most, other peer-reviewed research supports these findings.
- Not Supported – No other studies support this study’s conclusions.
- Contradicted – Most studies contradict this study’s conclusions.
STRENGTHS
(None)
WEAKNESSES
Study failed to provide adequate evidence of controlling for potential confounders. There is no data present to show that the two communities are comparable in all/most ways other than level of fluoride in their water.
RELEVANCE AND VALIDITY
The findings are not applicable to US populations as the concentration of fluoride in community water fluoridation projects in the US is below the level of 2.5 ppm to 3.5 ppm which is cited in this study. The findings also do not provide sufficient detail about the study population’s characteristics to determine if the results can be generalizable to the US population. Furthermore, potential for confounding was not addressed in this study. There may be other exposures to chemicals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury that may explain the effects observed in this study.