Oral diseases in 12-year-old schoolchildren in a capital city in northeast Brazil: rise or decline?

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the distribution of oral diseases in 12-year-old schoolchildren in Fortaleza, Northeast, Brazil. Based on the SB Brasil 2010, 30 calibrated dentists evaluated 1,509 children. Data were submitted to Pearson's Chi-square or Fisher's Exact tests, considering p<0.05. It was observed that 67.3% of the children were caries free and the mean DMFT-D was 0.86, with a predominance of the carious component (69.8%) in its composition. Main needs found: restorations (33.5%), pulp treatment (4.8%) and extractions (4.1%). The prevalence of fluorosis was 32.5%. As for periodontal disease, 56.6% of the students did not present bleeding and the presence of calculus in the examined sextants. The prevalence of malocclusion was 40.3%. It is concluded that the Municipality of Fortaleza has low caries severity and low prevalence of periodontal disease. Fluorosis is more prevalent in the very mild form. The total number of children with normal occlusion was greater than those with malocclusion. Regarding the severity of malocclusion detected, defined malocclusion prevailed. A decline in caries disease was observed, however, fluorosis and malocclusion showed an increase when compared to previous epidemiological surveys.