[Dental caries and treatment needs in adolescents from the state of São Paulo, 1998 and 2002].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate indicators of prevalence and severity of dental caries and treatment needs in adolescents.


METHODS
Data were obtained from oral health epidemiological surveys carried out in the state of Sao Paulo with adolescents from 12 to 18 years old. Dental caries experience was assessed using DMFT Index and the need for treatment was assessed using World Health Organization criteria. Significant caries index was used to define dental caries experience of one third of the group that presented greater experience of the disease. For 12-year-old group, examinations occurred in public and private schools, in 1998 (N=9,327) and 2002 (N=5,782), while 18-year-old group was examined in their households (N=5,195 in 1998 and N=257 in 2002).


RESULTS
At 12 years old, DMFT index was 3.72 in 1998 and 2.52 in 2002, whereas at 18 years old, it was 8.64 and 7.13, respectively. Significant caries index at 12 was 7.40 (1998) and 5.62 (2002), at 18 it was 15.05 and 12.19, respectively. There was an increase in the need for surface restorative care at 12 year old (p<0.0001) and of sealants at 18 year old (p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a decrease in dental caries among adolescents and most dental treatment needs were little complex.
Gushi
Lívia Litsue
LL
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Avenida Limeira 901, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Rihs
Lílian Berta
LB
Soares
Maria da Candelária
Mda C
Forni
Tania Izabel Bighetti
TI
Vieira
Vladen
V
Wada
Ronaldo Seichi
RS
Sousa
Maria da Luz Rosário de
Mda L
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*