Trends in dental caries in Latin American and Caribbean 5-6- and 11-13-year-old children: A systematic review

Objectives: To determine trends in dental caries prevalence and severity in Latin America and Caribbean. Methods: A systematic review was done of studies published between 1970 and 2000 among 5-6- and 11-13-year-old children that used WHO caries diagnostic criteria. Results: Over the last 30 years, there has been a significant decrease in caries severity for children 5-6 years old and also a significant decrease in caries prevalence and severity for children 11-13 years old. The same broad trends were observed when caries prevalence and severity was analyzed for the last 20 and 10 years but these were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Evidence of a decrease in dental caries in Latin American and Caribbean children has been shown, although the decrease was less prominent in the past few years.