[Dental caries in a riverine community in Rondônia State, Amazon Region, Brazil, 2005-2006].

This study aimed to analyze dental caries patterns among riverine people from Rondônia State, Brazil (Machado and Preto rivers) in 2005 and 2006. A total of 469 subjects were examined, using the World Health Organization form, under natural light, using a wooden tongue depressor and CPI probe in cases of doubts about the presence of dental caries. The results were: 4-5-year age bracket, dmtf = 4.30 and 19.64% caries-free; 6-10 years, DMTF = 1.04, dmtf = 3.52 and 17.05% caries-free; 12 years, DMTF = 2.65 and 30.76% caries-free; 18 years, DMTF = 5.41 and 19.51% caries-free; 35-44 years, DMTF = 17.74 and 2.98% caries-free; 65-74 years, DMTF = 21.56 and 4.34% caries-free. When each component was analyzed separately in the dmtf and DMTF indices, decay was most prevalent in the 0-3, 4-5, 6-10, 12, and 18-year brackets. However, in young and older adults, the most prevalent component was missing teeth. In conclusion, the study population showed a high dental caries index, thus highlighting the need for educational, preventive, and curative measures.