Traumatic neuroma, neurofibroma, neurilemmoma, palisaded encapsulated neuroma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) are peripheral nerve sheath tumors and present neural origin. The goal of this study was to describe the epidemiological data of oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors in a sample of the Brazilian population. Biopsies requested from the Oral Pathology Service, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais (MG, Brazil), between 1966 and 2006 were evaluated. Lesions diagnosed as peripheral nerve sheath tumors were submitted to morphologic and to immunohistochemical analyses. All cases were immunopositive to the S-100 protein. Thirty-five oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors were found, representing 0.16% of all lesions archived in the Oral Pathology Service. Traumatic neuroma (15 cases) most frequently affected the mental foramen. Solitary neurofibroma (10 cases) was more frequently observed in the palate. Neurofibroma associated with neurofibromatosis type I (2 cases) was observed in the gingival and alveolar mucosa. Neurilemmoma (4 cases) was more commonly observed in the buccal mucosa. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (3 cases) occurred in the mandible, palate, and tongue. Palisaded encapsulated neuroma (1 case) occurred in the buccal mucosa. The data confirmed that oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors are uncommon in the oral region, with some lesions presenting a predilection for a specific gender or site. This study may be useful in clinical dentistry and oral pathology practice and may be used as baseline data regarding oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors in other populations.

O presente trabalho, desenvolvido com os índios Xakriabá, em Minas Gerais, teve como objetivo conhecer as necessidades de tratamento odontológico buscando organizar o agendamento dos pacientes para tratamento. Os Agentes Indígenas de Saúde foram treinados por cirurgiões-dentistas para realizarem o levantamento nos domicílios. A população indígena total é de 6.498 habitantes, sendo que 3.686 estão na área de abrangência do Pólo Base Brejo Mata Fome, local onde 61% das pessoas foram examinadas. Os resultados mostraram haver uma população predominantemente jovem, um grande número de pessoas sem necessidade de tratamento e a cárie dentária foi o problema mais prevalente. Espera-se que o levantamento de necessidades venha contribuir para um agendamento no qual as pessoas que apresentam situações mais graves sejam priorizadas, buscando com isso promover a eqüidade.

The present study was developed among Xakriabas Indians in Minas Gerais and aimed at identifying their needs for dental treatment so that patients could be scheduled for treatment. Native health agents were trained by dental-surgeons for conducting the survey in household visits. The total Indian population is of 6.498 inhabitants, 3.686 of these living within the territory of the "Base Mata Fome", where 61% of the population was examined. Results showed that the population is mainly young, a great number of individuals presented no need for treatment and dental caries was the most frequent problem. The survey is expected to help in the organization of a schedule that allows giving priority to the more serious cases and promoting equity.

O presente trabalho, desenvolvido com os índios Xakriabá, em Minas Gerais, teve como objetivo conhecer as necessidades de tratamento odontológico buscando organizar o agendamento dos pacientes para tratamento. Os Agentes Indígenas de Saúde foram treinados por cirurgiões-dentistas para realizarem o levantamento nos domicílios. A população indígena total é de 6.498 habitantes, sendo que 3.686 estão na área de abrangência do Pólo Base Brejo Mata Fome, local onde 61% das pessoas foram examinadas. Os resultados mostraram haver uma população predominantemente jovem, um grande número de pessoas sem necessidade de tratamento e a cárie dentária foi o problema mais prevalente. Espera-se que o levantamento de necessidades venha contribuir para um agendamento no qual as pessoas que apresentam situações mais graves sejam priorizadas, buscando com isso promover a eqüidade.

The present study was developed among Xakriabas Indians in Minas Gerais and aimed at identifying their needs for dental treatment so that patients could be scheduled for treatment. Native health agents were trained by dental-surgeons for conducting the survey in household visits. The total Indian population is of 6.498 inhabitants, 3.686 of these living within the territory of the "Base Mata Fome", where 61% of the population was examined. Results showed that the population is mainly young, a great number of individuals presented no need for treatment and dental caries was the most frequent problem. The survey is expected to help in the organization of a schedule that allows giving priority to the more serious cases and promoting equity.