Regional inequalities in dental caries: Evidence from four decades of Brazilian National Oral Health surveys
1
Saúde Coletiva, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Brazil
2
Odontologia, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1382
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
National oral health surveys reveal considerable improvements in Brazil's oral health indicators since the first survey. The percentage of caries-free 12-year-olds increased from 3.7% in 1986 to 49.9% in 2023. However, recent data indicate persistent regional inequalities in key oral health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES:
To compare the evolution of caries-free prevalence among 12-year-olds across Brazilian regions in national surveys conducted in 1986, 2003, 2010, and 2023, analyzing regional inequality patterns throughout this historical series.
METHODS:
Descriptive study using secondary data from national oral health surveys (SB Brasil) conducted in 1986, 2003, 2010, and 2023, focusing on 12-year-olds. We analyzed the evolution of caries-free prevalence, considering national averages and regional variations extracted from official technical reports. Comparative analysis identified patterns and changes in regional distribution of caries-free experience over time, highlighting persistent inequalities and their potential intensification despite overall indicator improvements.
RESULTS:
The percentage of caries-free 12-year-olds in Brazil increased from 3.7% (1986) to 49.9% (2023). However, national improvement was not accompanied by reduced regional inequalities. In 2023, while the Southeast region showed 57.6% caries-free adolescents, the North region registered only 34.1%. The gap between these regions was 13.4 percentage points in 2003, widening to 23.5 points in 2023, evidencing worsening interregional inequalities. Additionally, the North, Northeast, and Central-West regions continue showing the lowest percentages of caries-free individuals and highest proportions of untreated caries since the first survey.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although Brazil achieved significant advances in adolescent oral health, data demonstrate that regional inequalities not only persist but have intensified over time. Favorable evolution of national indicators may mask growing disparities between regions, highlighting the urgent need for context-sensitive public policies aimed at mitigating territorial inequalities in oral health outcomes.
National oral health surveys reveal considerable improvements in Brazil's oral health indicators since the first survey. The percentage of caries-free 12-year-olds increased from 3.7% in 1986 to 49.9% in 2023. However, recent data indicate persistent regional inequalities in key oral health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES:
To compare the evolution of caries-free prevalence among 12-year-olds across Brazilian regions in national surveys conducted in 1986, 2003, 2010, and 2023, analyzing regional inequality patterns throughout this historical series.
METHODS:
Descriptive study using secondary data from national oral health surveys (SB Brasil) conducted in 1986, 2003, 2010, and 2023, focusing on 12-year-olds. We analyzed the evolution of caries-free prevalence, considering national averages and regional variations extracted from official technical reports. Comparative analysis identified patterns and changes in regional distribution of caries-free experience over time, highlighting persistent inequalities and their potential intensification despite overall indicator improvements.
RESULTS:
The percentage of caries-free 12-year-olds in Brazil increased from 3.7% (1986) to 49.9% (2023). However, national improvement was not accompanied by reduced regional inequalities. In 2023, while the Southeast region showed 57.6% caries-free adolescents, the North region registered only 34.1%. The gap between these regions was 13.4 percentage points in 2003, widening to 23.5 points in 2023, evidencing worsening interregional inequalities. Additionally, the North, Northeast, and Central-West regions continue showing the lowest percentages of caries-free individuals and highest proportions of untreated caries since the first survey.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although Brazil achieved significant advances in adolescent oral health, data demonstrate that regional inequalities not only persist but have intensified over time. Favorable evolution of national indicators may mask growing disparities between regions, highlighting the urgent need for context-sensitive public policies aimed at mitigating territorial inequalities in oral health outcomes.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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