Analysis of oral health conditions among preschool children in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná

Authors

  • Samuel Melo Gomes Federal University of Latin American Integration | UNILA
  • Sandra Palmeira Melo Gomes Federal University of Latin American Integration|UNILA
  • Marcos Augusto Moraes Arcoverde Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE)
  • Soraia Mayane Souza Mota Municipal Government of Foz do Iguaçu – Municipal Health Department.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30681/2526101014945

Keywords:

Dental Caries, Epidemiology, Child, Preschool, Socioeconomic Factors, Oral Health

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the oral health conditions of preschool children in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil, and their association with socioeconomic factors. Methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach was conducted in September and October 2025. Eligible five-year-old children were examined by a dentist using the dmft index (decayed, missing due to extraction, and filled primary teeth). Sociodemographic variables were obtained through a structured digital questionnaire made available to parents via Google Forms. Results: overall, 59.7% of the children had a dmft score of zero, exceeding the historical WHO target of 50% of five-year-old children being caries-free. However, 32.5% had active caries experience, with a mean dmft of 1.75. Inferential analysis revealed a statistically significant association between dmft and participation in the Bolsa Família Program, as well as household income instability. Conclusion: the oral health status of the preschool children assessed reflects both progress toward the historical WHO target and the persistence of socioeconomic inequalities associated with caries experience, particularly those related to income instability.

Author Biographies

  • Samuel Melo Gomes, Federal University of Latin American Integration | UNILA

    Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry from the Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE) (2023). Specialist in Restorative Dentistry from ABCD / Dentística Florianópolis. Specialist in Family Health through the Multiprofessional Residency Program at the Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA) (2026). Has experience in the field of Dentistry, with emphasis on Restorative Dentistry and Collective Health, working mainly on the following topics: oral health, border health, financing, oral health policies, restorative dentistry, and digital planning.

  • Sandra Palmeira Melo Gomes , Federal University of Latin American Integration|UNILA

    Holds a degree in Dentistry from the Federal University of Alagoas (1981), a degree in Psychology from the Center for Higher Studies of Maceió (1980), and a Master’s degree in Public Health in Border Regions from the Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE) (2018). Currently serves as a tutor in the Multiprofessional Residency Program in Family Health at the Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA) and as an external collaborating lecturer in the same program. Has experience in the field of Dentistry, with emphasis on public health, working mainly on the following topics: oral health, pediatric dentistry, the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), public health dentistry, and collective health.

  • Marcos Augusto Moraes Arcoverde, Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE)

    Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the Federal University of Paraná (2003), a Master’s degree in Nursing from the Federal University of Paraná (2006), and a PhD from the Public Health Nursing Graduate Program at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo (2018). Also completed advanced training in Research Ethics at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). Worked as a nurse in the municipalities of Curitiba and Pinhais, Paraná. Served as a professor in the technical nursing program at Colégio Estadual São Pedro Apóstolo (2006–2007, Curitiba) under the Paraná State Department of Education, and in the technical occupational safety program at Colégio Estadual Barão do Rio Branco in Foz do Iguaçu (2008–2010), where he worked as professor and course coordinator. Currently, he is a professor at the Western Paraná State University, teaching the courses Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health Nursing, and has also collaborated in the courses Fundamentals of Nursing I and Teaching Practice I and II. He has experience in the field of Nursing, with emphasis on Public Health Nursing and Mental Health Nursing, working mainly on the following topics: prevention of infectious diseases, care methodology, bioethics in research, public health, collective health, men’s health, elderly health, and mental health.

  • Soraia Mayane Souza Mota, Municipal Government of Foz do Iguaçu – Municipal Health Department.

    Holds a Master’s degree in Public Health in Border Regions from the Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE) (2023). Specialist in Collective Health with emphasis on Family Health from FACSETE (2020) and specialist in Preceptorship in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) (2025). Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry from the State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES) (2019). Currently works as a junior dentist at the Municipal Government of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, as a lecturer in the undergraduate Dentistry program at Centro Universitário Dinâmica das Cataratas (UDC), and as a preceptor in the Multiprofessional Residency Program in Family Health at the Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA). Has experience in Dentistry, with emphasis on Public Health and Collective Health.

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Published

2026-06-01

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Janeiro-Junho

Section

Artigo Original/ Original Article/ Artículo Originale

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How to Cite

Melo Gomes, S., Palmeira Melo Gomes , S. ., Augusto Moraes Arcoverde, M., & Mayane Souza Mota, S. (2026). Analysis of oral health conditions among preschool children in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná. Journal Health NPEPS, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.30681/2526101014945