Factors associated with prevalence of dental caries in Brazilian schoolchildren residing in Japan.

Brazilian immigrants comprise the third largest ethnic group within the Japanese population. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the factors associated with the prevalence of dental caries in Brazilian schoolchildren living in Japan. A total of 378 schoolchildren, aged between 6 and 14 years, attending Brazilian schools in Japan were included. Clinical data were collected according to World Health Organization criteria. Socioeconomic data, oral health behavior and diet information were collected through questionnaires. The correlation between associated factors and dental caries prevalence was analyzed using chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. The percentage of caries-free schoolchildren was 61.90% and the mean DMFT was 1.28 ± 2.22 (mean ± SD). The mother's educational level and previous access to dental care services in Brazil were strongly associated with caries experience (P < 0.05). This study indicated that these variables are risk factors associated with caries experience in a community of Brazilian schoolchildren residing in Japan.