[Dental caries in Paulínia, São Paulo State, Brazil, and WHO goals for 2000 and 2010].

An epidemiological survey was conducted in Paulínia, São Paulo State, Brazil, in 2000, aimed at verifying the prevalence of principal oral health problems, using the DMFT index and WHO diagnostic criteria. The sample (1,151) was randomly selected. The dmft was 1.90 in 5-year-olds, with 54.2% caries-free. DMFT was 1.00 in 12-year-olds, with 46.4% caries-free in the permanent dentition. Fluorosis prevalence in 7 to 12-year-olds was 30.5%, mostly the very mild form (22.9%). Prevalence of opacities and hypoplasias was 9.1%. In adults, the dental care index was 55.4% and an average of 21.30 teeth presented caries experience. In the elderly, DMFT was 29.50, consisting predominantly of extracted teeth (93.0%).