Incidence of caries in school-age children: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: This integrative review aimed to evaluate the main incidences of caries in school-age children, regarding country, design, duration, sample, sex, age and place where it was carried out. Materials and methods: The bibliographic survey was carried out through online access to the VHL Brasil (Virtual Health Library) and Pubmed (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System online). The following descriptors were used for the search: “Dental Caries”, “Children”, “Babys”, “Sugar”, “Incidence”.  The following databases were used: BBO, LILACS AND PUBMED in Portuguese, English and Spanish between the years 2019 and 2024. Most of the studies were carried out in Brazil, and one in Cuba. The sample ranged from 62 (sixty-two) to 27,305 (twenty-seven thousand three hundred and five) patients and its duration varied from 01 (one) to 06 (six) years. Results: The main incidences of cavities found were: sugary foods, socioeconomic factors, poor oral hygiene. Conclusion: The conclusion of this integrative review shows a high incidence of dental caries in children aged 4 (four) to 12 (twelve) years. These oral manifestations can be avoided or minimized through the insertion of the Dental Surgeon, improvements in public policies and awareness of hygiene among the family bond as an integral part in the care of child patients, providing their well-being.