RESUMO
A pathfinder pilot survey was conducted in rural Chiriqui Province, Panama, using standard WHO methodology, in order to estimate dental caries prevalence and treatment need. Examinations for caries and treatment need were performed by six trained, experienced examiners. From a convenience sample of 2,597 subjects, a stratified cluster sample was constructed using index ages 12 and 15 years and age groups 35-44 and 65-74 years. The results showed a mean Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth index (DMFT) of 4.08 for 12 year olds, 6.40 for 15 year olds, 13.20 for the 35-44 age group, and 18.88 for the 65-74 age group (P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences by gender were found. These findings rank rural Panama with Mexico and Haiti when compared to the results of other Central American community studies. The percentage of caries free 12 year olds was 6.8 per cent. Of the total sample, 74.7 per cent of individuals would require one or multiple surface restorations and 47.9 per cent would require at least one extraction. Restorative need was greatest in the 15 year olds. The severity of dental caries in this sample was moderately severe and the treatment need extraordinarily high.