Introduction Epidemiological data are essential for the development of public policies aiming at health promotion and prevention of risk situations, including those that compromise oral health.

Objective To present epidemiological data on adolescents' oral health collected by community health agents (CHA) utilising the Oral Health Community Indicator (ICSB).

Methodology Cross-sectional study conducted in Guaiúba-CE from July 2007 to February 2008. After calibration and training by community health agents, using the ICSB, a total of 743 adolescents were examined. The study was approved by the University of Fortaleza Research Ethics Committee (No. 001/2007).

Results The adolescents had an average of 26.14±3.61 teeth, 129 (17.4%) did not present caries, 301 (40.5%) had one or two, 223 (30.0%), three or more, 110 (14.8%) presented residual root, 121 (25.7%) tatar, 74 (10.0%) sore gingiva, 15 (2.0%) oral tissues injuries, 49 (6.6%) required prosthesis, 694 (93.4%) used toothbrush, and 281 (51.3%) visited the dentist last year. It was detected an association between the variables: visit to the dentist in the past year (p=0.0001) and gender and between age below 12 and having three or more caries (p=0.023).

Conclusion The CHA was able to collect relevant data to the elaboration of public policies aiming equity. The assessed adolescents did not reach the goal set by the International Dental Federation, which is, on average, one decayed, missing or filled tooth.