OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of dental fluorosis in scholars aging 12 to 15 years old, residents in the city of Bauru, State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: 1318 volunteers were enrolled in this study and examined in 18 public schools of the State of São Paulo. The examinations were performed in the schools' court by three dentists (with a Master's degree in Public Health), after toothbrushing supervised by another dentist. The teeth were dried with cotton pellets and examined under natural light by visual inspection, using an explorer as recommended by the WHO, a plane mirror and a tongue depressor. The Thylstrup-Fejerskov (TF) index was used for rating fluorosis. Intra and inter-examiner reproducibility was calculated and data were submitted to descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Approximately 36% of the children presented dental fluorosis, of which 28% was diagnosed as TF1 while the remaining received scores between TF2 and TF4. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental fluorosis in Bauru is within the expected range, based on previous studies. Although fluoride is an important resource for caries control, its use must be adequate to the needs of each specific population.

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram determinar o perfil profissional dos 248 cirurgiões-dentistas graduados na Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru - USP entre 1996 e 2000, constatar se há a adoção de medidas educativo-preventivas de caráter coletivo por parte destes profissionais e determinar o grau de satisfação profissional, através de um questionário contendo questões abertas e de múltipla escolha. O índice de retorno foi de 39,5%. A análise dos resultados revelou que os cirurgiões-dentistas eram predominantemente do gênero masculino, escolheram a Odontologia como profissão por afinidade e consideraram bom o curso de Graduação. Os resultados demonstraram que os profissionais ainda não despertaram para a importância da educação e da prevenção, principalmente em nível coletivo. Concluiu-se que o perfil predominante do profissional é aquele que trabalha no consultório particular próprio (38,8%) ou por porcentagem (25,5%), sendo que 26,5% atende em algum Convênio ou Cooperativa e apenas 12,2% trabalham na rede pública. Embora 63,3% tenham afirmado que se sentem realizados profissionalmente, apenas 12,2% estão financeiramente realizados. Uma das maiores dificuldades enfrentadas pelos cirurgiões-dentistas é a alta competitividade e saturação do mercado de trabalho.

The aims of this study were to determine the professional profile of the 248 dentists graduated at Bauru Dental School - University of Sao Paulo between 1996 and 2000, verify if they accomplish educational and collective measures and determine the level of professional satisfaction. The material was a self-applicable questionnaire containing both multiple choice and open questions. The return rate was 39.5%. Analysis of data showed that the dentists, who were predominantly males, chose Dentistry as a profession because they felt comfortable with it, and evaluate the graduate course as good. Results showed that the practitioners still do not focus on the need of education and prevention in oral health, especially at the collective level. It was concluded that the predominant professional profile was to work at their dental office (38.8%) or at a peer's dental office, receiving an amount of the total profile (25.5%); 26.5% work with health mutual support and 12.2% work at public service. Although 63.3% are professionally realized, only 12.2% are economically realized. The great difficult is the increase in the competition between dentists and saturation of the dental work market.