title: Association between maternal schooling and caries prevalence: a cross-sectional study in southern Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence and severity of dental caries among 12-year-old schoolchildren and to examine its possible association with maternal schooling.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study involving a representative sample (n = 253) of the 12-year-old schoolchildren enrolled in 14 schools of the municipality of Curitibanos, Brazil was carried out in 2006. Clinical information was obtained through the World Health Organization criteria. Non-clinical data were obtained through interviews with schoolchildren. Associations were analysed using chi-square test or Fisher exact test followed by non-conditional multiple logistic regression analysis to test the independence of associations between outcome and explanatory variables. P-values were set at < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of caries was 81.7% and the mean decayed, missing or filled teeth score was 4.08. Prevalence was significantly higher among girls, with a prevalence ratio of 2.58 (95% CI 1.25, 5.32) (P = 0.010); among schoolchildren from mothers with lower education level, with a prevalence ratio of 3.26 (95% CI 1.32, 8.06) (P = 0.010); and among schoolchildren who had ever visited a dentist, with a prevalence ratio of 2.91 (95% CI 1.14, 7.62) (P = 0.030).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence and severity of caries were higher than the Brazilian national average. The prevalence was statistically associated with maternal schooling, had visited a dentist, and gender.
authors: Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarao, Brazil. jefferson.traebert@unisul.br
authors: Jefferson
authors: J
authors: Traebert
authors: Yasaka
authors: Y
authors: Jinbo
authors: Josimari Telino
authors: JT
authors: de Lacerda