Dental caries experience in 12-year-old schoolchildren in southeastern Brazil

Authors

  • Silvia Cypriano Pontifical Catholic University; Department of Preventive Dentistry
  • Rosana H. S. Hoffmann State University of Campinas; Dental School of Piracicaba; Department of Cariology
  • Maria da Luz R. de Sousa State University of Campinas; Dental School of Piracicaba; Public Health Area; Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry
  • Ronaldo S. Wada State University of Campinas; Dental School of Piracicaba; Biostatics Area; Department of Social Dentistry

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-77572008000400011

Keywords:

Epidemiology, Oral health, Dental caries, DMF index

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caries-free children using DMFT and significant caries (SiC) indexes in different caries prevalence groups in cities of the region of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. The methodology proposed by the World Health Organization (1997) was used for caries diagnosis in 2,378 individuals. According to the DMFT index obtained in each evaluated city, 3 prevalence groups with representative samples were formed, being classified as low, moderate and high. SiC index was used to classify the one third of the population with the highest caries prevalence. In the low prevalence group, 32.4% of the children were caries free (DMFT=0), with mean DMFT of 2.29 and SiC index of 4.93. In the moderate prevalence group, 21.8% of the children were caries free, with mean DMFT of 3.36 and SiC of 6.74. Only 6.9% of the children in the high prevalence group were caries free and the mean DMFT was 5.54 (SiC=9.62). There was a great heterogeneity in dental caries distribution within the studied population, as well as a high caries prevalence considering the 3 classifications. Other indexes besides DMFT could be used to improve oral health assessment during establishment of the treatment plan and intervention.

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Published

2008-08-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Dental caries experience in 12-year-old schoolchildren in southeastern Brazil . (2008). Journal of Applied Oral Science, 16(4), 286-296. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-77572008000400011