ABSTRACT
Objective:This research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of caries and cariogenic habits in children living in Jardim Paraíso neighborhood, city of Joinville-SC, where Pro-Health practices have been executed since 2009. Material and methods: Data collection was performed according to the WHO criteria for epidemiological survey. Food and oral hygiene habits of children and socioeconomic characteristics of their caregivers were collected through a questionnaire with closed questions. The sample consisted of 137 children, 69 (50.4%) males and 68 (49.6%) were female. Results: There was statistical significance in relation to intake of cariogenic foods when compared to dmft index, demonstrating positive correlation between the frequency of consumption and caries manifestation. The mean dmft index was 1.61, with a predominance of decayed teeth (92.76%), demonstrating the need for more financial support in public policies for oral health promotion and education in the neighborhood, aiming at the paradigm shifting from curative dental practice to the current approach focused on prevention.