Trends in dental caries prevalence in 12-year-old schoolchildren between 1976 and 2001 in Bauru, Brazil

Conclusions. The phenomenon of dental caries polarization is already perceptible in Bauru, Brazil. The increase in the number of schoolchildren with sound permanent teeth (DMFT=0) suggests that the dental health policy in Bauru has had a positive effect in children's dental health, and should therefore be considered for other cities.