[Evaluation of the public on the psychosocial effects of fluorosis].

Objective: To explore the attitude of the public to the psychosocial effects of fluorosis through investigating the public in different areas.

Methods: Twenty typical fluorosis photos were selected and evaluated by the public in Xingtai, Beijing and Guangzhou, which included 101 dentists, 118 dental students, 103 college students in non-dental schools, 102 clerks and 92 leaders. Each evaluator was required to answer seven five-point questions according to each photo.

Results: The mean of the public evaluation was going up with the increase of Dean's Index (DI) score, ranging from 2.21 to 4.74, meanwhile, the prevalence of reporting that fluorosis would affect their psychosocial status also ascended. Less than 25% people reported that very mild fluorosis (DI < or = 1) would affect the psychosocial status of patients, and mild fluorosis (DI = 2) would affect 25% - 56%, while the prevalence would increase to 48% - 97% in severe fluorosis group (DI > or = 3). "Bivariate Correlation Analysis" showed that significant correlation existed in the evaluation of the public and the degree of fluorosis. The scores of dentists were significantly lower than those of dental students, college students in non-dental schools and clerks. The evaluation scores of the public in Xingtai were generally higher than those in Beijing and Guangzhou.

Conclusions: Mild or less fluorosis could lead to little psychosocial effects.