Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Sep 4.
Published in final edited form as: Monogr Oral Sci. 2011 Jun 23;22:81–96. doi: 10.1159/000327028

Table 1.

Fluorosis index of H.T. Dean (1942)

Score Criteria
Normal (0) The enamel represents the usual translucent semivitriform type of structure. The surface is smooth,
glossy, and usually of a pale creamy white color.
Questionable
(0.5)
The enamel discloses slight aberrations from the translucency of normal enamel, ranging from a
few white flecks to occasional white spots. This classification is utilized in those instances where a
definite diagnosis of the mildest form of fluorosis is not warranted and a classification of ‘normal’ is
not justified.
Very mild (1) Small opaque, paper white areas scattered irregularly over the tooth but not involving as much as
25% of the tooth surface. Frequently included in this classification are teeth showing no more than
about 1–2 mm of white opacity at the tip of the summit of the cusps of the bicuspids or second
molars.
Mild (2) The white opaque areas in the enamel of the teeth are more extensive but do not involve as much
as 50% of the tooth.
Moderate (3) All enamel surfaces of the teeth are affected, and the surfaces subject to attrition show wear.
Brown stain is frequently a disfiguring feature.
Severe (4) Includes teeth formerly classified as ‘moderately severe and severe.’ All enamel surfaces are
affected and hypoplasia is so marked that the general form of the tooth may be affected. The
major diagnostic sign of this classification is discrete or confluent pitting. Brown stains are
widespread and teeth often present a corroded-like appearance.

As reproduced in National Academy of Sciences [p.169, 16].