Oral health among preschool children in Brazil, 1999
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102003000200014Keywords:
Dental caries^i2^sepidemiol, Gingivitis^i2^sepidemiol, Fluorosis, dental^i2^sepidemiol, Dental health surveys, School health, Dmf index, Health promotion, Oral healthAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess dental decay, gum diseases and fluorosis prevalence and evaluate treatment needs of public preschool children. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey on oral health was conducted in 2,805 public preschool children aged 5 and 6 years in Piracicaba, Brazil. Children were examined by a team of ten trained dentists. It was applied a consensus technique and intra and inter agreement among examiners was assessed using the percentage of agreement. RESULTS: Of the total, 44.3% children were free of dental decay at the age of 5 and 38.5% at the age of 6. The deciduous decay teeth index (dmf-t) was 2.64 at the age of 5 and 3.07 at the age of 6, and 31.9% and 37.9%, respectively, presented dmf-t greater than 3. The largest percent of treatment need (45.3%) was surface restoration. Regarding gum health, 68.6% and 72.6% of children aged 5 and 6 years presented gum bleeding. The prevalence of fluorosis was 2.6% at the age of 5 and 6.1% at the age of 6. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to develop appropriate actions and strategies for higher risk groups.Downloads
Published
2003-04-01
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Section
Original Articles
How to Cite
Cypriano, S., Sousa, M. da L. R. de, Rihs, L. B., & Wada, R. S. (2003). Oral health among preschool children in Brazil, 1999 . Revista De Saúde Pública, 37(2), 247-253. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102003000200014