[The current applicability of Viegas simplified indices to dental caries epidemiological surveys]

The aim of this study was to verify whether two simplified Viegas indices, "Method One" and "Method Two", could be recommended for epidemiological surveys. The sample was obtained from secondary data for 29 cities, totaling 2,378 epidemiological tests in 12-year-old schoolchildren. Considering mean DMFT in each city, three prevalence groups were obtained (low, moderate, and high), calculating the estimated value of simplified indices in each group. Moderate correlation in the three prevalence groups and similarity among the mean DMFT was found in "Method One", which describes first molar caries experience (p < 0.05). "Method Two", which in addition to first molar caries experience included upper central incisor caries experience, showed similarity in mean DMFT only in low caries prevalence. The results allow one to conclude that the "Method One" simplified index can be used with low, moderate, and high dental caries prevalence, showing the first molar as an important indicator of caries level in populations.