[Prevalence of untreated caries in deciduous teeth in urban and rural areas in the state of São Paulo, Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence of dental caries in children with deciduous teeth in urban and rural areas in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and to identify associated factors.


METHODS
The study included 24 744 children (5-7 years of age) examined as part of an epidemiological survey on oral health carried out in the state of São Paulo (Levantamento Epidemiológico de Saúde Bucal do Estado de São Paulo). Multilevel analysis was used to investigate whether the prevalence of untreated caries was associated with the sociodemographic characteristics of the children examined or with the socioeconomic aspects of the participating cities.


RESULTS
Being black or brown (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.27), attending school in rural areas (adjusted OR=1.88), and attending public school (adjusted OR=3.41) were identified as determinants for an increased probability of presenting deciduous teeth with untreated caries. Being a female (adjusted OR=0.83) was identified as a protective factor. The negative coefficients obtained for second-level independent variables indicate that the oral health profile of the cities included in the study were positively impacted by a higher municipal human development index (beta=-0.47) and fluoridated drinking water (beta=-0.32).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of untreated caries is influenced by individual and sociodemographic factors. The present study provides epidemiological information concerning the rural areas in the state of São Paulo. This information is useful for strategic planning and for establishing guidelines for oral health actions in local health systems, thereby contributing to oral health equity.
de Campos Mello
Tatiana Ribeiro
TR
Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina (UNOESC), Mestrado em Saúde Coletiva, Brazil. tatmello@usp.br
Antunes
Jose Leopoldo Ferreira
JL
Waldman
Eliseu Alves
EA
D001938:Brazil; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous; D014505:Urban Population