Similar to that which occurred in most developed countries, dental caries have shown a
significant decline in Brazil over the last two decades. Water fluoridation, expansion of
preventive programs at schools, and especially, the widespread use of fluoride dentifrice are
discussed as factors related to this reduction in caries. Data from epidemiological surveys
and historical facts are presented to support the importance of fluoride dentifrices to the
current caries prevalence in Brazil.