OBJECTIVES: to understand caries prevalence and associated factors in 6 to 12 year olds registered at the Vietnã Family Health Clinic in Recife. METHODS: a survey during September to November 2002. The 128 children sampled were stratified by age and microarea, with a 90% prevalence of caries, 5% error and 10% loss. A clinical form was used to evaluate their dental condition (this was completed after calibration by two dental surgeons) and a questionnaire. RESULTS: 14.1% of the children free from caries. In 11 to 12 year olds, one pole, 29.7% has DMF-T=0, and the proportion is similar with values between 4-8 in the other. Where there is higher family income DMF-T decreases significantly (p=0.02); def-t reaches maximum value at age 7 (4.50) - the age which has the greater incidence of caries and the requirement for treatment - being significantly greater (p=0.05) in families with a larger number of children up to age 12 (4.50). The education level of parents and guardians, the number of daily teeth brushing and access to dental care was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: high prevalence and polarization of caries reinforces the value of understanding the needs and prioritizing the more vulnerable groups.
Dental caries; Family Health Program; Evaluation
