Different international organizations have indicated the need to analyze the conditions of each population in order to identify groups and individuals at risk as an operational strategy in pursuit of greater equity, efficacy and efficiency in the health system. The aim of this study was to identify differentials in the dental caries profiles of children attending public schools in the county of Avellaneda (Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina) and their association with variables of social protection. In 2014, an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was performed with a sample of 656 students 12 years of age from 40 public schools in the 8 county districts (out of a total universe of 3580 individuals distributed in 70 schools). The dental status of 12-year-old schoolchildren living in the localities evaluated showed an unequal distribution; subgroups with high caries prevalence, morbidity and severity were identified, requiring the targeting of health interventions. An association between untreated disease and lack of social protection was observed.