EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE ANALYSIS OF DENTAL CARIES IN 5 AND 6-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS IN CASCAVEL-PR: EXPERIENCE REPORTN 5-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS IN CASCAVEL-PR

EXPERIENCE REPORT

Abstract

The study aimed to report the process of identifying the epidemiological profile of dental caries in 5- and 6-year-old students from two public schools in a municipality in the western region of Paraná. The data were collected by dentistry students from the State University of Western Paraná. The objective was to establish the dental condition and treatment needs for dental caries using data gathered in the discipline Collective Health Dentistry III. Methodology: This is a report on a cross-sectional epidemiological survey of dental caries, developed through a partnership between Unioeste's dentistry program and municipal schools. To assess dental conditions, the index recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and adapted for national epidemiological studies by the Ministry of Health was used. This allowed for the inference of the dmft index (decayed, missing, and filled teeth in primary dentition). Data collection was conducted with 133 children aged 5 and 6 years using the Dental Condition and Treatment Needs Index, which enables the calculation of the dmft index.  Results: The average dmft index observed was 2.66, close to the national average, with the "decayed" component being the most prevalent (87.04%). Conclusion: The findings highlight need for dental treatment and the development of preventive activities aimed at restoring and maintaining oral health. They also emphasize the importance of conducting epidemiological surveys to better organize the demand for services.