OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries, malocclusions and gum damage in five-year-old preschool children resident in areas covered by the Family Health Program (PSF). METHODS: a cross-cutting study was carried out with five-year-old children examined by PSF dental health teams and as part of the Collective Procedures Program of the municipal health service of the city of Salvador, in the State of Bahia, Brazil, in 2005. The diagnostic criteria established by the World Health Organization and the Dental Health Project were used and the examinations were carried out in schools, crèches or the children's homes. RESULTS: the investigation involved 1,374 children. The prevalence of caries was 49.6% and the def-d (average number of decayed, extracted or filled teeth) 1.97, most of these being cases of caries (85.78%). The prevalence of gum damage was 7.40% and for slight and moderate/severe malocclusion, 24.90% and 12.70%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: there was a high prevalence of severe dental problems that are easy to prevent and control by way of more effective educational, preventive and curative action during primary care for preschool-aged children in the municipality. The service's epidemiology department could help to plan and oversee such action.
Dental caries; Gingival diseases; Malocclusion; Oral health; Child, preschool
