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8 - Forever Chemicals in Teeth: PFAS Presence and Dental Mineralization

Friday, May 22, 2026
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Rochelle Forni, DDS (she/her/hers)

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
    Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
    Buda, Texas, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Emily Rosenberg, DDS

    Pediatric Dentist
    Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard School of Dental Medicine
    Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston , Massachusetts, United States

  • RD

    Rachel D'Anna, MS

    Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA

  • SZ

    Selena Zhang, N/A

    Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA

  • Muskaan Kaur, N/A

    Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA

  • SD

    Suzanne Dahlberg, PhD

    Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA

  • SU

    Steven Ureles, DMD, MS

    Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA

  • Rosalyn M. Sulyanto, DMD, MS

    Director of Resident Research
    Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • Rosalyn M. Sulyanto, DMD, MS

    Director of Resident Research
    Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • Isabelle Chase, DDS, FAAPD, FRCD(C)

    Director, Postgraduate Pediatric Dentistry
    Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
    Harvard School of Dental Medicine
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” are ubiquitous environmental contaminants identified in multiple human organ systems. Their presence and potential effects in teeth have not been investigated. This study evaluates the association between hypomineralization (HM) and PFAS concentrations in town water.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who received orthodontic treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital between 2010–2024. Demographic and clinical characteristics, HM presence, and town-level PFAS concentrations were collected for eligible patients. Results were analyzed looking at PFAS on a continuous scale, then with low PFAS towns defined as <20ppt in accordance with the MA health standard, and then as <70ppt in accordance with EPA health standards. A multivariable logistic regression model (backward stepwise selection) was used to predict HM presence.

Results: Of the 878 eligible subjects, 410 (47%) had HM and no significant associations were found between PFAS level and HM presence in the continuous and MA health standard model. However, in the unadjusted EPA health standard model, subjects residing in high PFAS towns had higher odds of HM (OR 1.50, 95%CI 1.02-2.22; P=.04). This effect was no longer significant when adjusting for relevant demographic and clinical characteristics (adjOR 1.42, 95%CI 0.91-2.23; P=.12).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates a trend towards more HM presence in high PFAS towns.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by the Paul L. Losche Fund.