Epidemiology of Dental Caries in the World

Abstract

The oral health of children 12 years old is the object of several epidemiological studies conducted around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1997), the importance given to this age group is due to the fact that it is this age that children leave primary school. Thus, in many countries, is the last age at which data can be easily obtained through a reliable sample of the school system. Moreover, it is possible that at this age all the permanent teeth except third molars, have already erupted. Thus, the age of 12 was determined as the age of global monitoring of caries for international comparisons and monitoring of disease trends. Even considering the large number of scientific evidence from several epidemiological studies in schoolchildren worldwide, the majority are regional studies. In addition, the information is too outdated for some countries, which does not make easy international comparison. The index that measures the number of permanent teeth decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) is the common outcome for such studies. Although there are differences in both the sampling plan and the types of individual attributes collected at different times in history, epidemiology has been developing epistemological and methodological tools that allow revisit both old and recent data in order to understand the influence of environmental characteristics on individual outcomes, seeking correct the effect of aggregate, also known as ecological fallacy (Moreira & Nico, 2010). At the same time, the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical methods have allowed a more sophisticated processing of data since the observations are given an adequate spatial analysis. As for the health-disease process, perceiving it as a historical phenomenon, the health situation of a given society is the result of models of health care employees in the past. The interest in developing appropriate methodologies for knowledge and monitoring of social inequalities health has grown around the world. Area until recently restricted to a few academic groups, now finds conditions of highest use by health system managers, as a powerful instrument for establishing priorities agendas and evaluate the impact of adopted policies. The global oral health database is currently being developed as part of the WHO Global InfoBase and it provides for the outcome evaluation of national and community oral health promotion and disease prevention programmes. The data stimulate providers of oral health care in countries and health authorities to implement preventive oral care programmes by sharing experiences and ensures data for adjustment of ongoing programmes. Oral health