Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the fluoride concentration of drinking water and any correlations between the frequency, severity, and discoloration level of dental fluorosis and perception of the individuals of Deregümü, Isparta, Turkey.

Methods: Water samples were taken from the drinking water tank of the village and from the groundwater source. Intraoral examination of 283 individuals (140 women, 143 men) aged between 12 and 80 years was performed. Female and male individuals were divided to 4 age groups.  Thylstrup-Fejerskov Index (TFI) scores and discoloration levels were recorded for each tooth and perception was determined via a questionaire. Twenty appropriate volunteers were selected for office and home bleaching treatments. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, Bonferroni-Dunn, and Spearman rank correlation tests.

Results: The prevalence of dental fluorosis in this population was 94.1%, with TFI scores between 1 and 8. The level of fluoride in the drinking water was 1.83 mg/L. The mean TFI score was 3.58. Discoloration was severe (score of 3) in 25.08% of the individuals, moderate (score of 2) in 20.14%, and mild (score of 1) in 20.5%, whereas 34.28% had no discoloration (score of 0).  TFI and discoloration scores were positively correlated with age in both genders, whereas they were positively correlated with gender in some age groups (P<0.05). Young individuals and females had higher awereness than males and older individuals who requested bleaching therapy. Satisfied results are achieved in bleaching of discolorations.

 Conclusion: There is a very high prevalence and relatively severe dental fluorosis in the population of Deregümü, Isparta, Turkey. The individuals should be informed about the prevention and treatment alternatives of dental fluorosis.

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