Comparison of caries experience in residents of two Brazilian municipalities with and without fluoridation of the public water supplies

The public water supply fluoridation is an effective measure and is cost-effective in preventing tooth decay. This article bases on a study that compared the caries experience between two municipalities in Brazil, São Paulo and Manaus, at the time, with and without fluoridation of its water. The study used the projeto SBBrasil 2010 (SBBrazil project 2010) data that evaluated three indices for 2.176 individuals: dmft (decay, missing, filled teeth for primary dentition), DMFT (number of decayed, missing and filled in adults) and SiC (Significant Caries Index, a variation of DMTF). The results showed that the rates were higher in Manaus when compared to São Paulo, for 5 and 12 years old children and for young people who are 15 to 19 years old. The city of São Paulo showed better bucal health status in children and adolescents, and it was not found difference in indices for adults and the elderly, demonstrating that part of the population with access to fluoridated water was benefited by the method