ABSTRACT
Objective: This cross-sectional research evaluated caries prevalence and treatment need in preschool children using different indexes. Material and Methods: A sample of 931 children (3-5 years old) attending public schools were examined by two calibrated researchers, who recorded the caries prevalence using dmf-t and ICDAS II. The clinical records obtained directed the decision regarding the treatment needs, which were divided into non-invasive and invasive procedures according to the scores registered in the different caries indexes. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data related to each index; qui-square test was used to compare the need of invasive and non-invasive treatment in the different ages. Results: The mean dmf-t was 1.8 ± 2.9, with a 42.9% caries prevalence. Using cut-off points of ICDAS II (≥1, ≥3 and ≥4), the caries prevalence values found were 50.7%, 40.8% and 30.7%, respectively. Fiveyear- old children exhibited the highest caries prevalence, assessed with dmf-t or ≥3 and ≥4 cutoff points of ICDAS II (≥3: p=0.032; ≥4: p=0.015). The percentages of caries-free children were 49.1% and 57.1%, respectively for ICDAS II and dmf-t. Restorative treatment in at least one tooth was required by 30.7% and 40% of the children for ICDAS II and dmf-t. Only ICDAS II could establish the percentage of non-invasive treatments (20%). Both indices pointed out the expressive need of restorative treatment. Conclusion: The use of dmf-t in epidemiological surveys may underestimate caries prevalence whereas the ICDAS II allowed the identification of early carious lesions and the viability of the use of non-invasive procedures as caries control measures in a child population.