Mandibular bone fluoride levels and occurrence of fluoride induced dental lesions in populations of wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Central Europe.

Mandibular bone fluoride concentrations as well as frequency and intensity of fluoride-induced dental lesions were studied in four red deer populations from Czechia and Germany exposed to different levels of environmental fluoride. The degree of fluorosis in the permanent cheek teeth was recorded by a scoring system and the individual mandibles assigned to one of three categories (unfluorosed, slightly to moderately fluorosed, and markedly to severely fluorosed) on the basis of the tooth scores. An increase in the frequency and severity of dental fluorosis was positively associated with an increase in bone fluoride level, which itself was significantly different between the four samples. In all samples, the rate of bone fluoride accumulation was higher in younger than in older deer. The results of this study show that frequency and intensity of dental fluorosis can be used as valid indicators of increased fluoride exposure of deer populations, and thus as a quick, easy, economic and reliable means of monitoring fluoride pollution in areas inhabited by wild deer.