Health education in a population affected by endemic fluorosis: geology and dentistry in an interdisciplinary approach

Abstract

The endemic fluorosis was diagnosed in the city of São Francisco, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in the 1980s. Since then, several studies have been conducted to diagnose and map the disease and its source of contamination. Other studies were performed to try to remedy the problem at the individual level (dental restorations of the lesions) as the collective level (drinking water quality). This is the report of the health education actions promoted by the Department of Geology and Dentistry School of UFMG in affected communities. The methodology employed was characterized by intense exchange of experiences with the community. It was used a puppet theater and an interactive exhibition to address issues related to the consequences of ingesting high levels of fluoride and consequences in daily individual who has the serious fluorotics injuries in their teeth.