Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-03-07Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:05:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 brighenti_fl_dr_araca.pdf: 927914 bytes, checksum: df4ad06d38d262a61b9312138e94b9a9 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Produtos naturais têm sido estudados com relação ao controle químico da microbiota patogênica do biofilme bucal. O objetivo desse estudo foi esclarecer o efeito do extrato da folha de Psidium cattleianum no metabolismo de S. mutans, no biofilme formado in situ e na capacidade em inibir a desmineralização do esmalte. O extrato foi obtido por decocção das folhas em água deionizada. O efeito do extrato foi avaliado in vitro com relação à viabilidade, expressão protéica e produção de ácido de biofilmes de S. mutans. No estudo in situ, blocos de esmalte bovino foram fixados em dispositivos acrílicos palatinos de dez voluntários. A fase experimental consistiu de três etapas de 14 dias cada, separadas por intervalo de sete dias. Os voluntários gotejaram solução de sacarose 20% (8x/dia) e a solução de tratamento (água, extrato ou um enxaguatório comercial; 2x/dia). O biofilme dentário foi analisado quanto à acidogenicidade, quantidade microorganismos e presença de polissacarídeos álcali-solúveis. Nos blocos de esmalte, foram realizadas as análises de microdureza superficial e em secção longitudinal. O extrato foi capaz de afetar a viabilidade, a produção de ácidos e a síntese protéica do biofilme formado in vitro. No biofilme formado in situ, o extrato foi capaz de diminuir a queda do pH, o acúmulo de microorganismos, a formação de polissacarídeos extracelulares e a desmineralização do esmalte. Conclui-se que o extrato foi capaz de diminuir a expressão de proteínas envolvidas no metabolismo bacteriano, a patogenicidade do biofilme bucal e a desmineralização do esmalte in situ. / Natural products have been studied with relation to chemical control of pathogenical microorganisms of dental biofilm. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of Psidium cattleianum leaf extract on S. mutans metabolism, on in situ biofilms and on enamel demineralization. The extract was obtained by decoction in deionized water. The extract was studied in vitro with relation to viability, protein expression and acid production of S. mutans biofilms. On the in situ study, enamel bovine blocks were placed in palatal appliances of ten volunteers. The experimental phase consisted of three stages with a duration of 14 days each and a washout period of seven days. The volunteers dripped 20% sucrose (8x/day) and the treatment solution (water, extract or a marketed mouthwash – 2x/day) on the enamel blocks. The dental biofilm was analyzed regarding the amount of microorganisms and presence of alkalisoluble polysaccharides. On the enamel blocks, surface and cross-sectional microhardnessess were evaluated. The extract was able to affect the viability, acid production and protein synthesis of the in vitro biofilm. On the in situ biofilm, the extract was able to decrease pH drop, microorganism accumulation, extracellular polysaccharides formation and enamel demineralization. It can be concluded that the extract was able to reduce the expression of proteins involved on bacterial metabolism, the pathogenicity of dental biofilm and in situ enamel demineralization.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-12-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:17:13Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 menezes_tec_me_araca.pdf: 558527 bytes, checksum: fb65e2e98ca3d3c121131d0247fba076 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a capacidade dos extratos de araçá e de aroeira do sertão em interferir com a microdureza do esmalte dental de ratos submetidos a desafio cariogênico, bem como avaliar o efeito desses extratos sobre a microbiota cariogênica implantada desses animais, e seus possíveis efeitos colaterais. Sessenta ratos do tipo Wistar, divididos em 4 grupos, foram submetidos a desafio cariogênico (dieta NIH-2000) e, metade deles, à cirurgia para remoção das glândulas salivares maiores. Os grupos recebiam, como solução de hidratação, água (controle), extrato de araçá (diluído em água) ou extrato de aroeira (diluída em água). Coletas da microbiota bucal dos animais foram realizadas semanalmente e, após 53 dias, os animais foram sacrificados. Os dentes dos animas foram preparados e submetidos à análise de microdureza longitudinal do esmalte, assim como os órgãos vitais de alguns animais foram removidos e submetidos à análise histopatolágica. O modelo animal e as condições experimentais se mostraram adequadas para a caracterização dos efeitos dos extratos testados sobre a microdureza do esmalte e sobre a microbiota cariogênica, sendo que os dois extratos testados produziram uma redução substancial da microbiota cariogênica nos animais experimentais e o consumo dos mesmos afetou positivamente a dureza superficial do esmalte. A ingestão dos extratos não alterou significativamente os órgãos dos animais, quando comparado com os grupos controle. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of araçá and aroeira extracts on dental enamel microhardness of rats submitted to a cariogenic challenge, and on their cariogenic microflora and determine the collateral effects of the extracts in the animals. Sixty Wistar rats, divided in 4 groups, were submitted to a cariogenic diet (NIH-2000 diet) and, half of them, was submitted to surgical remotion of the major salivary glands. The groups received water (control), araçá extract (solved in water) or aroeira extract (solved in water) as hydration solution. Collections of oral specimens were performed weekly and, after 53 days, the animals were sacrified. The animals teeth were prepared and submitted to longitudinal enamel microhardness analysis, as well some vital organs of animals were removed and submitted to histopathological procedures and analysis. The animal pattern and experimental conditions were appropriated to evaluate and measure the extracts effects on the enamel microhardness and on the cariogenic microbiota. Both the extracts reduced substantially the cariogenic microbiota of the animals and the use of them affected positively the longitudinal enamel microhardness. The extracts ingestion did not affected in a significant extension the microscopic characteristics of the organs, compared with control group (water).

Orientadora: Profa. Dra. Patrícia Aparecida da Ana / Coorientadora: Profa. Dra. Ilka Tiemy Kato Prates / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Biomédica, São Bernardo do Campo, 2018. / Lasers de erbio podem ser usados para prevencao de carie radicular, o que e de suma importancia para os idosos. Contudo, parametros seguros e eficazes de irradiacao para a dentina radicular ainda nao foram determinados empregando-se o laser de Er,Cr:YSGG para tal finalidade. Esse estudo tem por objetivo avaliar os aumentos de temperatura pulpar e superficial, assim como as alteracoes morfologicas, decorrentes da irradiacao da dentina radicular com laser de Er,Cr:YSGG quando empregado com finalidade preventiva, e avaliar os efeitos de um dos parametros estabelecidos na composicao e resistencia a desmineralizacao da dentina radicular. O estudo foi dividido em duas fases experimentais. Na primeira, os efeitos morfologicos e de variacao de temperatura pulpar e superficial foram avaliados a partir de tres potencias medias do laser de Er,Cr:YSGG, enquanto que, na segunda, um dos parametros selecionados foi avaliado quanto as mudancas composicionais, morfologicas e opticas promovidas na dentina radicular. Na primeira fase experimental, 30 dentes unirradiculares humanos e 30 blocos de dentina radicular bovina foram aleatoriamente distribuidos em tres grupos experimentais para irradiacao com laser de Er,Cr:YSGG (2,78 £gm, 600 £gm, 20 Hz, 60 £gs, sem refrigeracao): G1a ¡Vpotencia media de 0,10W; G1b - potencia media de 0,25W; G1c - potencia media de 0,50W. Foram determinadas as variacoes de temperatura intrapulpar empregando-se termopares, variacoes de temperatura superficial com termografia e alteracoes morfologicas por microscopia eletronica de varredura (MEV). Na segunda fase experimental, 75 blocos de dentina radicular bovina foram aleatoriamente distribuidos em 5 grupos experimentais: G1b: sem tratamento; G2b: tratamento com fluor fosfato acidulado (FFA, 1,23% F-, pH= 3,6 = 3,9); G3b: irradiacao com potencia media de 0,25W; G4b: irradiacao laser seguida de aplicacao de FFA; G5b: aplicacao de FFA seguida da irradiacao laser. Foram efetuadas avaliacao composicional por espectroscopia de absorcao no infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), optica por tomografia por coerenca optica (OCT) e morfologica por MEV. Em seguida, as amostras foram submetidas a ciclagem de pH por 8 dias e, no fim, foi avaliado o coeficiente de atenuacao optco obtido por nova avaliacao por OCT. A analise estatistica foi efetuada individualmente para cada variavel resposta, sendo adotado o nivel de significancia estatistica de 5%. Todos os parametros laser promoveram alteracoes de temperatura inferior ao limiar para danos pulpares; contudo, apenas o grupo tratado com 0,50 W promoveu aumentos de temperatura superficial superiores a 100o C, indicativos de alteracoes quimicas na dentina. Os grupos irradiados com 0,25W e 0,50 W promoveram microablacoes na dentina, observados pelo MEV. Na segunda fase experimental, observou-se pelo FTIR que a irradiacao laser isoladamente nao altera a composicao da dentina, mas a aplicacao previa de FFA seguida da irradiacao laser diminuiu significativamente o conteudo de ¿Þ3¿Þ4 carbonato da dentina. Da mesma forma, este tratamento tambem promove maior alteracao morfologica e de coeficiente de atenuacao optica quando comparado aos tratamentos isoladamente. Apos desmineralizacao, observou-se que tanto a irradiacao laser isoladamente, quanto a aplicacao de FFA previamente a irradiacao, promoveram aumento significativo do coeficiente de atenuacao optico, indicando menor desmineralizacao das amostras para este grupo. Desta forma, foi possivel concluir que o laser de Er,Cr:YSGG apresenta potencial para uso em prevencao da desmineralizacao da dentina radicular, sendo segura sua aplicacao com potencia media de 0,25W e mais eficiente quando precedido da aplicacao de FFA. / Erbium lasers can be used to prevent root caries, which is imporant for the elderly. However, safe and effective irradiation parameters have not yet been determined for root dentin using the Er,Cr:YSGG laser for this purpose. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pulp and surface temperature increases, as well as the morphological alterations, due to Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on root dentin when used for preventive purposes, and to evaluate the effects of one of the parameters in the composition and resistance to demineralization of root dentin. The study was split into two experimental phases. In the first one, the morphological and pulp and surface temperature variations were evaluated from three average powers of the Er,Cr:YSGG laser, while in the second phase, the compositional, morphological and optical properties promoted by one selected laser parameter were evaluated in root dentin. In the first experimental phase, 30 unirradicular human teeth and 30 bovine root dentin slabs were randomly distributed in three experimental groups for irradiation with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (2.78 £gm, 600 £gm, 20 Hz, 60 £gs, without refrigeration): G1a - average power of 0.10W; G1b - average power of 0.25W; G1c - average power of 0.50W. The pulpal temperature variations were determined using fast response thermocouples, the surface temperature variations were measured using infrared thermography and morphological changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the second experimental phase, 75 slabs of bovine root dentin were randomly distributed in 5 experimental groups: G1b: without treatment; G2b: treatment with acidulated fluoride phosphate (APF, 1.23% F-, pH = 3.6 = 3.9); G3b: irradiation with average power of 0.25W; G4b: laser irradiation followed by APF application; G5b: application of APF followed by laser irradiation. The compositional evaluation was performed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the optical aspect was observed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and morphology was evaluated by SEM. Afterwards, the samples were submitted to pH-cycling for 8 days and, finally, the optical attenuation coefficient was obtained by a new OCT evaluation. The statistical analysis was performed individually for each response variable, considering the level of significance of 5%. All the laser parameters promoted changes in temperature below the threshold for pulp damage; however, only the group treated with 0.50 W promoted surface temperature increases above 100 ¢XC, indicative of chemical changes in dentin. The groups irradiated with 0.25W and 0.50 W promoted microablation in dentin. In the second experimental phase, it was observed that the laser irradiation alone does not alter the composition of the dentin, but the previous application of APF followed by the laser irradiation significantly decreased the content of ¿Þ3¿Þ4 carbonate of the dentin. In the same way, this treatment also promotes greater morphological alterations when compared to treatments alone. After demineralization, it was observed that both the laser irradiation alone and the application of APF previously to the laser irradiation promoted a significant increase in the optical attenuation coefficient, indicating a lower demineralization of this group. In this way, it was possible to conclude that the Er,Cr:YSGG laser presents potential for use for preventing root dentin demineralization. Its application is safe with a mean power of 0.25W and more efficient when preceded by APF application.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Occlusal pits and fissures are ideal places for caries development. Placement of dental sealants has been reported to be effective in preventing this process. However, the effectiveness of dental sealants has been reported to be influenced by clinical factors, such as preparation and placement techniques. A report recently published by the American Dental Association on the clinical recommendations for use of pit-and-fissure sealants included critical evaluation and a summary of relevant scientific evidence on the use of sealants aimed at assisting clinicians. The report addressed concerns such as: Does placing sealants over early (noncavitated) lesions prevent progression of the lesions? Are there any techniques that could improve sealants’ retention and ffectiveness in caries prevention? The investigators concluded that there is limited and conflicting evidence to support that mechanical preparation with a bur results in higher retention rates in children and recommend that pit-and-fissure sealants should be placed on early (noncavitated) carious lesions. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate two methods of fissure treatment before sealant placement on different caries levels. In this study, 135 extracted human molars (ICDAS codes 0 to 2) were collected and ranked by a calibrated examiner into three groups. These were further divided into three subgroups (nine total). Occlusal surfaces were prepared with: 1) a ¼-mm round bur, 2) air abrasion, and 3) no treatment as a control. All groups were etched with 3.0- percent phosphoric acid for 15 seconds, rinsed thoroughly, and dried with an air water syringe. Opaque dental sealants were placed on the etched occlusal surfaces according to the accepted clinical standards and light-cured for 30 seconds. All groups were thermocycled for 5000 cycles. The roots of the teeth were painted with nail varnish, root apices were sealed with wax, and the occlusal surfaces were immersed in 1.0-percent methylene blue for a full 24 hours. The next day the teeth were cleaned, and the roots were sectioned to expose the crowns. Crowns were cut along the occlusal surfaces in the buccolingual direction. The sectioned surfaces were examined under the Nikon SMZ 1500 microscope for sealant penetration in the fissure and microleakage along the sealant enamel interface. The analyses were performed on a transformation of the sealant penetration percentage commonly used for calculated percentages: sin-1(p1/2). The effects of the type of group, the ICDAS code, and the fissure type on sealant penetration percentage were compared using ANOVA. The effects on microleakage and bubbles were compared using GEE methods applied to logistic regression. The effects on dye penetration were compared using GEE methods applied to cumulative logistic regression to account for the ordered categories of the dye penetration scale. In the findings of sealant penetration, the group type did not have a significant effect on sealant penetration (p = 0.195). ICDAS codes had a significant effect on sealant penetration (p = 0.0113) where ICDAS Code 0 had greater penetration than ICDAS codes 1 and 2. Fissure type had a significant effect on sealant penetration (p = 0.0001) where fissure types V and U had greater sealant penetration than Fissure types Y and W. In the findings of microleakage, the type of group had a significant effect on microleakage (p = 0.0004) where the abrasion group had increased microleakage as compared with the 1/4 round bur and control groups. ICDAS code had a significant effect on microleakage (p = 0.0022) where ICDAS code 0 had less microleakage as compared with ICDAS code 1 and 2. Fissure types V, U, Y, and W did not have a significant effect on microleakage (p = 0.721).

Epidemiological data reveal that one of the most common diseases in the world is dental disease. Scientific knowledge is available to prevent the vast majority of dental disease. Thus, individuals are not taking the necessary action to prevent caries and periodontal disease. Dental professionals try to facilitate primary prevention of disease through education and the correction of skill deficits with patients. Still billions of dollars are spent each year in the treatment of these diseases. This presents a major health and economic liability and demonstrates a clear need to implement additional behavioral management techniques in the field of dentistry. This study implements two behavioral management strategies, self-monitoring and monetary incentives, in a free dental clinic to explore the effects of these treatments on subject"s dental flossing rate. / M.S.

<p>Dental caries is a multi-factorial disease that affects everyone irrespective of race, class or gender, however, the burden of the disease is often found in children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The nature of the disease is such that it can be prevented. Various international studies on fluoride have shown a reduction in the prevalence of dental caries. By using geographical information systems, oral health data can be linked to the fluoride levels and further analysis could be done to identify areas at risk of dental caries as well as show patterns in the distribution of dental caries. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the effects of different levels of fluoride on the prevalence of dental caries in selected towns in the Northern Cape and Westen Cape. It also examined the application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to oral health data.</p>

RESUMO Este estudo avaliou a influência da educação precoce em saúde bucal do núcleo familiar e do uso de dentifrícios fluoretados sobre a prevalência de cárie dentária na primeira infância. Foram compostos dois grupos de crianças na faixa etária de 6 a 30 meses, diferindo entre si quanto ao acesso à atenção odontológica. O grupo I foi formado por 152 crianças pertencentes ao Projeto Odontobebê (Universidade Federal do Pará), enquanto o grupo II constituído por 94 crianças que não haviam recebido atendimento odontológico até a data do exame. Foi aplicado um questionário às mães com 19 perguntas a respeito dos hábitos alimentares, condutas de higiene bucal e utilização de dentifrícios fluoretados pelas crianças. Sinais clínicos da doença cárie, incluindo lesões cavitadas e manchas brancas ativas, além da presença de biofilme visível, foram avaliadas através do exame clínico. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise estatística, utilizando-se o software estatístico Minitab versão 11.0 com um nível de significância de 5% (P<0.05). Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o número de superfícies cariadas e a extensão das lesões de cárie nos grupos I e II (P< 0.001). Um menor número de crianças com cárie, mancha branca ativa e biofilme visível foi encontrado no grupo I, embora os resultados não tenham se revelado estatisticamente significantes. A atenção odontológica fornecida pelo Projeto Odontobebê influenciou positivamente na prevalência de cárie dentária na primeira infância, pois as crianças com cárie neste grupo apresentaram menor número de superfícies cariadas e lesões menos extensas, com predomínio de cavidades em esmalte, quando comparadas as crianças do grupo II. / SUMMARY This paper has evaluated the influence of early education in oral health care of the family nucleus and the use of fluoridated dentifrices on the prevalence of dental caries in early childhood. Two groups of children were made up from children aged o0 t0 30 months, differing one another as to dentistry attention. Group I was made up with 152 children from “Projeto Odontobebê" (Universidade Federal do Pará), while group II was constituted by 94 children which never given any dental care until the examination date. It was applied a form to mothers with 19 questions about eating and oral hygiene habits and the use of fluoridated dentifrices by children. Clinical signs of caries disease, including cavity lesions and active white spots, besides the presence of visible biofilm were evaluated through clinical examination. The data collected were submitted to statistics analyses with statistics Minitab 11.0 software at 5% of significance level (P<0.05). There was a statistically 114 significant difference between the number of caries surfaces and the extension of caries lesions on groups I and II (P<0.001). A lower number of children with caries, active white spot and visible biofilm was found in group I, although the results had not revealed statistically significant. Dental care attention supplied by “Projeto Odontobebê" has presented a positive influence on the prevalence of dental caries in early childhood, for children with caries in such group presented a lower number of caries surfaces and less extended lesions, with a predominance of cavities in enamel when compared to group II children.

<p>Dental caries is a multi-factorial disease that affects everyone irrespective of race, class or gender, however, the burden of the disease is often found in children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The nature of the disease is such that it can be prevented. Various international studies on fluoride have shown a reduction in the prevalence of dental caries. By using geographical information systems, oral health data can be linked to the fluoride levels and further analysis could be done to identify areas at risk of dental caries as well as show patterns in the distribution of dental caries. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the effects of different levels of fluoride on the prevalence of dental caries in selected towns in the Northern Cape and Westen Cape. It also examined the application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to oral health data.</p>

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-02-03Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:31:56Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 alves_kmrp_me_araca.pdf: 718342 bytes, checksum: 06ff8987209e3528863547ccbcd084ff (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Dentifrícios com concentração reduzida de flúor podem oferecer menor risco à fluorose dentária, porém sua efetividade deve ser mantida. O objetivo deste estudo in vitro foi avaliar o potencial anticárie a abrasividade de dentifrícios fluoretados com pH ácido. Para isso, foram utilizados 240 blocos de esmalte bovino, selecionados pela microdureza de superfície e dentifrícios experimentais contendo 0 (placebo), 275, 412, 550 e 1100 mg F/g (pH 7,0 e 4,5) e comerciais Crest® (1100 mg F/g, padrão) e Colgate Baby® (500 mg F/g). Blocos de esmalte (n=120) foram submetidos à ciclagem de pH e ao tratamento (2x/dia) com suspensão de dentifrícios. Em seguida, calculou-se a variação da microdureza de superfície, o conteúdo mineral e a quantidade de flúor, cálcio e fósforo no esmalte e nas soluções após a ciclagem. Para o teste de abrasividade (n=120) dos dentifricios utilizou-se maquina de escovacao e posterior analise perfilometrica. Os blocos de esmalte tratados com dentifricios acidos apresentaram menor perda mineral (ANOVA; p<0,05) quando comparados aos neutros. Os dentifricios 412 e 550 uÊg F/g acidos apresentaram resultados semelhantes (p>0,05) aos dos dentifricios 1100 uÊg F/g neutro e Crest. Houve correlacao positiva (Pearson; p<0,05) entre as concentracoes de fluor nos dentifricios, no esmalte e nas solucoes, com tambem com o fosforo presente nas solucoes. A abrasividade dos dentifricios acidos foi semelhante (p>0,05) a dos neutros e os comerciais apresentaram menor abrasao (p<0,05). Conclui-se que os dentifricios com 412 e 550 mg F/g acidos possuem acao anticariogenica semelhante a do Crest e que o pH nao influência a abrasividade dos dentifrícios. / Low-fluoride dentifrices may reduce the risk to enamel fluorosis; however, their effectiveness must be maintained. This in vitro study evaluated the anticariogenic potential and abrasiveness of acidic fluoride dentifrices. Enamel bovine blocks (n=240) were selected according to their surface microhardness and divided into groups containing 0 (placebo), 275, 412, 550 and 1,100 mg F/g (pH 4.5 or 7.0). Two commercial dentifrices were also studied: Crest (positive control) and Colgate Baby (500 mg F/g). Enamel blocks (n=120) were submitted to pH cycling and treatment (2 times/day) with dentifrice slurries. Variations in surface microhardness, mineral content and amount of fluoride, calcium and phosphate in enamel and slurries after pH cycling were calculated. Enamel blocks (n=120) and an automated toothbrushing machine were used to test dentifrice abrasiveness, which was evaluated by profilometry. Enamel blocks treated with acidic dentifrices exhibited less mineral loss compared to those exposed to neutral dentifrices (ANOVA; p<0.05). Acidic dentifrices with 412 and 550 ìg F/g presented similar outcomes (p>0.05) as neutral dentifrice with 1100 ìg F/g and Crest. Positive correlation (Pearson; p<0.05) was found between fluoride concentration in dentifrices and in enamel and slurry, as well as phosphate in slurries. The abrasiveness of acidic dentifrices was similar (p>0,05) to the neutral, whereas commercial dentifrices yielded lower abrasion (p<0.05). It was concluded that acidic dentifrices with 412 and 550 ìg F/g had the same anticariogenic action as the positive control. The pH had no influence on dentifrice abrasiveness.

RESUMO Este estudo avaliou a influência da educação precoce em saúde bucal do núcleo familiar e do uso de dentifrícios fluoretados sobre a prevalência de cárie dentária na primeira infância. Foram compostos dois grupos de crianças na faixa etária de 6 a 30 meses, diferindo entre si quanto ao acesso à atenção odontológica. O grupo I foi formado por 152 crianças pertencentes ao Projeto Odontobebê (Universidade Federal do Pará), enquanto o grupo II constituído por 94 crianças que não haviam recebido atendimento odontológico até a data do exame. Foi aplicado um questionário às mães com 19 perguntas a respeito dos hábitos alimentares, condutas de higiene bucal e utilização de dentifrícios fluoretados pelas crianças. Sinais clínicos da doença cárie, incluindo lesões cavitadas e manchas brancas ativas, além da presença de biofilme visível, foram avaliadas através do exame clínico. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise estatística, utilizando-se o software estatístico Minitab versão 11.0 com um nível de significância de 5% (P<0.05). Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o número de superfícies cariadas e a extensão das lesões de cárie nos grupos I e II (P< 0.001). Um menor número de crianças com cárie, mancha branca ativa e biofilme visível foi encontrado no grupo I, embora os resultados não tenham se revelado estatisticamente significantes. A atenção odontológica fornecida pelo Projeto Odontobebê influenciou positivamente na prevalência de cárie dentária na primeira infância, pois as crianças com cárie neste grupo apresentaram menor número de superfícies cariadas e lesões menos extensas, com predomínio de cavidades em esmalte, quando comparadas as crianças do grupo II. / SUMMARY This paper has evaluated the influence of early education in oral health care of the family nucleus and the use of fluoridated dentifrices on the prevalence of dental caries in early childhood. Two groups of children were made up from children aged o0 t0 30 months, differing one another as to dentistry attention. Group I was made up with 152 children from “Projeto Odontobebê” (Universidade Federal do Pará), while group II was constituted by 94 children which never given any dental care until the examination date. It was applied a form to mothers with 19 questions about eating and oral hygiene habits and the use of fluoridated dentifrices by children. Clinical signs of caries disease, including cavity lesions and active white spots, besides the presence of visible biofilm were evaluated through clinical examination. The data collected were submitted to statistics analyses with statistics Minitab 11.0 software at 5% of significance level (P<0.05). There was a statistically 114 significant difference between the number of caries surfaces and the extension of caries lesions on groups I and II (P<0.001). A lower number of children with caries, active white spot and visible biofilm was found in group I, although the results had not revealed statistically significant. Dental care attention supplied by “Projeto Odontobebê” has presented a positive influence on the prevalence of dental caries in early childhood, for children with caries in such group presented a lower number of caries surfaces and less extended lesions, with a predominance of cavities in enamel when compared to group II children.