Prevalence of yeast species in the oral cavity and its relationship to dental caries = Prevalência de leveduras na cavidade bucal e sua rela o com a cárie dental

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of yeasts in the oral cavity, and to determine the main yeast species present and whether there is a correlation between the presence of yeasts in the mouth and caries or dental plaque. Ninety-five healthy children and adolescents who were residents of rural villages participated in the study. They were submitted to an odontological examination for the identification of dental caries and dental plaque, as well as for yeast culture and identification. The frequency of yeasts was 33.7%, with no difference between females and males. Yeasts predominated in children (37.7%) more than in adolescents (26.5%). Caries and dental plaque were present in 70.3 and 96.8% of the sample, respectively, and Candida albicans was the most prevalent species (75%). The findings indicated a correlation between the presence of caries and yeasts in the mouth (p = 0.0087) and between yeasts and the number of carious teeth (p < 0.05). However, there was no correlation betweenyeasts and the dental plaque index (p = 0.49). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a frequência de leveduras na cavidade bucal, determinar as principais espécies de leveduras presentes e, se existe correla o entre a presen a de leveduras na boca com cárie ou placa dental. Participaram deste estudo 95 crian as e adolescentes saudáveis que residiam em Vilas Rurais, na regi o Oeste do Estado do Paraná. Eles foram submetidos a exame odontológico para identifica o de cárie e placa dental, além de pesquisa de levedura na cavidade bucal. A frequência de leveduras foi 33,7% e n o houve diferen a entre os gêneros femininos e masculinos. As leveduras predominaram nas crian as (37,7%) em rela o aos adolescentes (26,5%). Cárie e placa dental estavam presentes, respectivamente, em 70,3 e 96,8% da amostra e Candida albicans foi à espécie mais prevalente (75%). Os resultados mostraram correla o entre a presen a de cárie e de levedura na boca (p = 0,0087) e também entre a presen a de leveduras e o número de dentes cariados (p < 0,05). Por outro lado, n o houve correla o entre leveduras e índice de placa dental (p = 0,49).