Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

[Caries prevalence in 4-year-old preschoolers attending public schools in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil]

Sandra Feitosa1, Viviane Colares

  • 1Faculdade de Odontologia de Pernambuco, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil. shfeitosa@zipmail.com.br

Cadernos De Saude Publica
|April 10, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Dental caries affects nearly half of 4-year-old preschoolers in Recife, Brazil, with a high prevalence but low treatment rates. This highlights a significant need for early childhood dental care interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Public Health

Context:

  • Focuses on dental caries prevalence in 4-year-old preschoolers in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
  • Examines data from 861 children across 45 municipal schools in 2002.
  • Emphasizes the need for dental health assessment in this demographic.

Purpose:

  • To determine the prevalence of dental caries in 4-year-old preschoolers.
  • To assess the treatment needs for dental caries in the studied population.
  • To provide baseline data for public health initiatives.

Summary:

  • High dental caries prevalence (47.00%) was observed in 4-year-old preschoolers.
  • The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmf-t) index was 2.06.
  • Only 6.40% of children received dental treatment, indicating a significant gap in care.

Impact:

  • Highlights a substantial burden of dental caries in young children in Recife.
  • Underscores the urgent need for improved access to dental care and preventive strategies for preschoolers.
  • Provides critical data for policymakers and dental health professionals to address childhood oral health disparities.

More Related Videos

Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries08:20

Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries

Published on: March 31, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Prevalence and Incidence01:08

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
Assessment of the Mouth01:26

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Tooth Anatomy01:21

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
Oral Cavity01:11

Oral Cavity

The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...