Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different follow-up consultation intervals on caries incidence in children with low caries risk. The study was composed of 224 children aged between 3 and 5 years and with low risk of caries. The children were randomly allocated into two groups, according to two different follow-up consultation intervals: Group 1 (G1) – 12-month follow-up interval; Group 2 (G2) – 18-month follow-up interval. All oral clinical examinations were performed by a single examiner who was previously calibrated and blinded in relation to the study groups. An external dentist provided the advice on oral hygiene and diet and evaluated the children’s socioeconomic conditions. The Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used to evaluate the differences between groups. Poisson regression analyses were performed to assess the association of caries incidence with the other variables. At the end of the study there was a significant difference between the groups regarding initial active lesions (p = 0.012), and children in G2 were at a higher risk of developing initial active lesions than those in G1 (p = 0.047). Children who had a higher number of teeth with initial active lesions in the follow-up consultations were at a higher risk of developing cavitated dentin caries (p = 0.001). Both follow-up intervals are justifiable. Although significant results have been observed for initial active caries lesions within the 18-month follow-up interval, it should be noted that these lesions can be treated using just preventive measures. Besides, different return interval had no effect in cavitated dentin lesions.

RESUMO A cárie dentária é uma doença não infecciosa e é considerada um problema de saúde pública. Para seu diagnóstico e correto tratamento é necessário a avaliação do risco e da atividade da doença cárie. A avaliação do risco de cárie é uma maneira de formalizar o equilíbrio e desequilíbrio da doença de modo previsível para realizar o diagnóstico da doença presente. Para tanto, a avaliação do risco de cárie é realizada através de diferentes sistemas. Outro parâmetro de grande importância a ser estudado é a atividade da doença cárie, pois através dela é realizada a correta decisão de tratamento para o paciente. Assim, o objetivo do presente artigo foi informar ao leitor: os conceitos e fatores de risco de cárie; os diferentes sistemas de avaliação de risco de cárie descritos na literatura; e quais sistemas são validados. Contudo, esta revisão de literatura proporciona a identificação e avaliação dos fatores de risco e atividade das lesões de cárie afim de possibilitar uma maior objetividade no diagnóstico e facilitar as decisões de um tratamento bem-sucedido.

ABSTRACT Dental caries is a non-communicable disease and is considered a public health problem. For diagnosis and correct treatment, the study of risk assessment and caries activity is necessary. The caries risk assessment is a way to formalize the balance and imbalance of predictably disease to diagnose dental caries. Therefore, the caries risk assessment is performed through different evaluation systems. Another parameter of great importance to be studied is the activity of caries, because through it is done the correct treatment decision for the patient. The objective of this article is to inform the reader about: the concepts and caries risk factors; the different caries risk assessment systems described in the literature; and which systems are validated. In addition, this literature review provides for identification and evaluation of risk factors and activity of caries lesions in order to enable greater objectivity in the diagnosis and facilitate the decisions of a successful treatment.

Monitoring traumatic dental injury (TDI) in primary teeth through epidemiological cross-sectional surveys provides descriptive information relevant to the development of public policies focused on the prevention of such injuries for the target population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of TDI in 5- to 6-year-old Brazilian children and its association with biological and socioeconomic factors. A total of 684 children aged 5 to 6 years old, from 11 public schools in the city of Barueri (Brazil) were evaluated. Clinical examinations were carried out in the schools, by two trained and calibrated examiners. Gauze and a mouth mirror were used for the examinations. The reported TDIs were classified according to the Andreasen (2007) criteria for primary teeth. The results showed that 52.3% of the children had TDI. Enamel fracture (63.4%) was the most frequently observed sign of TDI, and the most affected teeth were the primary maxillary central incisors (26.9% maxillary right central incisor and 24% maxillary left central incisor). There was no association between the presence of TDI and biological or socioeconomic factors. In conclusion, the prevalence of TDI was high and had no statistically significant association with biological and socioeconomic factors.