Trends in caries experience and fluorosis prevalence in 11- to 12-year-old Brazilian children between 1991 and 2004.
Investigating dental caries and fluorosis prevalence over time is an important measure for monitoring trends in oral health.


OBJECTIVE
This work aimed to describe the prevalence of dental caries and dental fluorosis of 11- to 12-year-old schoolchildren from Iracemapolis, Brazil, in 2004 (n=236) and to compare the current prevalence rates with those from previous surveys carried out in 1991 (n=200), 1995 (n=160), 1997 (n=314) and 2001 (n=244).


METHODS
The schoolchildren of both genders from all public schools were examined by two calibrated dentists (Kappa > 0.81), using dental probes and buccal mirrors under natural light in an outdoor setting. Dental caries and fluorosis were measured using the DMFT and Thylstrup-Fejerskov (T-F) indexes, respectively. The variation of DMFT index over time was assessed by analysis of regression and the fluorosis prevalence (T-F>1) was compared over time by the Chi-square test at 5% significance level.


RESULTS
In 2004, the mean value for DMFT was 1.2; 50% of the children were caries-free, and 15.7% presented dental fluorosis (T-F>1). A significant caries reduction (82.1%) and a significant increase (685%) of fluorosis prevalence have been observed from 1991 to 2004 (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest a continuous decrease of dental caries experience and an increase of dental fluorosis prevalence in 11-to 12-year-old schoolchildren from this Brazilian town as well as indicate that further epidemiological surveys should be carried out in order to monitor these trends.
Meneghim
Marcelo de Castro
Mde C
Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Brazil. meneghim@fop.unicamp.br
Tagliaferro
Elaine Pereira da Silva
EP
Tengan
Cristiana
C
Meneghim
Zuleica Maria Almeida
ZM
Pereira
Antonio Carlos
AC
Ambrosano
Gláucia Maria Bovi
GM
Assaf
Andréa Videira
AV
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000009:adverse effects; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014099:Toothbrushing