[Polarization of dental caries in teen-agers in the southwest of the State of São Paulo, Brazil].

In most Brazilian cities, oral health is still a challenge for the Brazilian Health System (SUS). The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of dental caries (DMFT index), the differences with regard to gender and geographic localization, Significant Caries Index and the percentages of caries-free adolescents in Itaí-SP - Brazil, in 2006. The methodology used was in agreement with the criteria established by the WHO. The sample was composed of 178 teen-agers, corresponding to 46% of the 12-years-old registered in the schools of the city. One single examiner performed the examination. The Kappa test method was used with an agreement rater of 0.95. The DMTF index was of 2.45, SiC of 5.08 and 30% of the adolescents were caries-free. It was observed that 70% of caries cases were concentrated in 34% of the adolescents. The data obtained showed a polarization of dental caries in 12-years-old adolescents, but this polarization was not uniform. The problems are concentrated in a small portion of the population.