Other oral conditions that do not generally cause pain, such as dental caries with a low degree of severity or inactive dental caries and uncomplicated TDI, were not associated with parents' or guardians' work absenteeism of preschool children. It is concluded that toothache, avulsion, luxation and a low degree of mother's schooling are associated with work absenteeism.

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Investigations into the oral health status of indigenous populations are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate caries experience and associated factors among 342 indigenous children and adolescents aged 5-15 years of the Xukuru community in the municipality of Pesqueira, Brazil. A cross-sectional census study was carried out using the criteria of the World Health Organization to determine caries experience. Examinations were performed by two calibrated dentists and a questionnaire was administered to parents/caregivers addressing socio-demographic data, diet and oral hygiene habits. Logistic regression analysis were performed, with dmft and DMFT as the dependent variables (P < 0.05). Caries experience (dmft/DMFT) was high in both the primary and permanent dentition (75.6% and 62.9%, respectively). Mean dmft and DMFT indices were 3.11 and 2.21, respectively. Caries experience in the primary dentition was associated with children residing in villages far from urban areas (P = 0.016), while caries in the permanent dentition was associated with older children (P < 0.001) and with children from villages at an intermediate distance and far from urban areas (P < 0.001). The indigenous subjects exhibited a high degree of caries experience, which was associated with age and group of villages. Public policies are needed to improve the oral health status of this population. (J Oral Sci 57, 123-129, 2015)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the approaches used by Family Health Strategy dentists in the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil, for management of occlusal caries in primary teeth. Methods In this observational, cross-sectional, census-based, descriptive study, 33 professionals completed a questionnaire designed to evaluate their approach to management of occlusal caries in enamel and dentin of deciduous teeth in different risk situations. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics (Fisher's exact test with the level of significance set to 5%). Inter-examiner agreement was evaluated by Cohen's kappa statistic. Results For chronic enamel caries in primary teeth with low risk/activity, the approach of choice was preventive, with fluoride application being the most cited intervention (39.3%). For active carious dentin in primary teeth with high risk/activity and with low risk/activity, invasive approaches were most prevalent (93.9% and 78.8%, respectively), with complete caries removal (74.2%) and glass-ionomer restoration (69.2%) being the most frequent responses. Inter-examiner agreement was moderate (k = 0.44). ConclusionAlthough a wide range of approaches were adopted by dental practitioners, most preferred invasive interventions, even in situations where preservation of tooth structure was recommended.