We read with interest the recent Perspective article by Taubman and Nash1 relating to the development of vaccines against dental caries. These authors affirm that: “In many countries such as Brazil and China, [dental caries] is reaching epidemic proportions, and it is clear that a more effective public-health measure to combat dental caries is needed”; however, the source of this statement was not cited. An epidemic is defined as: “The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness, specific health-related behavior, or health-related events clearly in excess of normal expectancy”2. Nowadays in Brazil, the susceptibility of individuals to dental caries is related to biological and socioeconomic inequalities3, which is similar to other countries. It is true that dental caries has previously been a public health problem and might continue to be so; however, the statement in the abstract of the article by Taubman and Nash that: “...this disease is reaching epidemic proportions... ” is inaccurate. Between 1986 and 2002/2003, the prevalence and incidence of dental caries in Brazil decreased by approximately 58.2% in 12-year-old children (Table 1). These data are available on the World Health Organization web site4.

Table 1 DMFT index of 12-year-old children in Brazil
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Additional studies show that in some cities of Brazil the decrease in the prevalence of dental caries is similar to that of developed countries (Table 2).

Table 2 Decrease in the prevalence of dental caries in Brazil and in several developed countries
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This letter is intended to alert the readers of Nature Reviews Immunology to the fact that the prevalence of dental caries in Brazil is not “reaching epidemic proportions” but is, in fact, decreasing. This is an important distinction as its misinterpretation could have significant potential to damage the reputation of third parties.