[Caries prevalence in 4-year-old preschoolers attending public schools in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil].

The aim of this study was to determine caries prevalence in 4-year-old preschoolers of both sexes in municipal schools in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2002, emphasizing their needs assessment. Data were collected by examining 861 preschoolers from 45 municipal schools. Examination was conducted by one examiner (Kappa = 1) in the school and after parental consent forms were obtained. Dental caries was recorded using the dmf-t (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) index. Data analysis showed caries prevalence of 47.00% and dmf-t of 2.06. Only 6.40% of the children had their teeth treated. The examined children showed high dental caries prevalence (47.00%), despite a low prevalence of severe caries (8.94%).