Oral health status of 12 year-old school children in Água Santa, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

There is no a health survey report about the oral conditions in Água Santa, RS, Brazil that allow to establish the planning actions according to local needs. The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of dental caries, treatment needs, and the prevalence of dental fluorosis in 12 year-old children. A census of the 12 year-old schoolchildren was conduct and 91 children were examined. Oral health conditions were measured according to World Health Organization in 1997. The DMFT index mean was 2.73. The first permanent molar teeth were responsible for 69.35% of the composition of the DMTF index. There were few and low complexity treatment needs. The dental fluorosis had a low prevalence, it was absent in 90.1% of the sample. Schoolchildren from the rural zone had a larger DMTF index than the ones from the urban zone, as well as those who used public service had a larger CPOD than those who used private service. In relation to dental fluorosis, the condition more prevalent was normal enamel among schoolchildren from rural zone and those who used public service. On the other hand, the condition more prevalent among schoolchildren from urban zone and the ones who used the private service was questionable fluorosis. In conclusion, it should be addressed a larger focus to preschool children, schoolchildren from rural zone, and the monitoring of dental fluorosis prevalence.