OBJECTIVE:
to evaluate dental caries in adolescents and its spatial and temporal distribution in southern Brazilian municipalities.
METHODS:
an ecological study was conducted with 4,205 (2003) and 3,531 (2011) students aged 12 and 15-19 in 36 cities in Rio Grande do Sul where macro-regional indicators of the average number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT), untreated caries prevalence and the percentage of caries-free teeth (DMFT = 0) were georeferenced.
RESULTS:
in 2003 and2011, respectively, mean DMFT was 3.63 and 1.66 (12 years) and 7.43 and3.43 (15-19 years). Caries-free adolescents increased from 18.6% to 42.1% (12 years) and from 7.5% to 22.2% (15-19 years); untreated caries decreased from 50.9% to 27.2% (12 years) and from 56.1% to 32.4% (15-19). Results varied between municipalities and macro-regions.
CONCLUSION:
dental caries reduced after 8 years, with uneven distribution between macro-regions and municipalities.
Oral Health; Adolescent; Dental Caries; Spatio-Temporal Analysis
