| Objectives: The aim of this study was to acquire the status of dental caries and oral health behaviors among preschool children in China,as well as oral health knowledge and attitude of their parents.Besides,the caries-related factors in this population were analyzed,so as to provide a basis for policy makers in the planning of dental services for preschool children.Methods: The data from the 4th National Oral Health Survey was analyzed by SPSS software.Every child recruited received a clinical assessment according to the fifth edition of oral health survey basic methods recommended by WHO and a questionnaire was finished by their parents or grandparents through a face-to-face interview.The descriptive analysis of oral health status and questionnaire items was performed at first.Then chi-square test,analysis of variance,and logistic regression analysis were performed to study the relationships between the prevalence of dental caries and the selected variables.Results:PartⅠ The first part shows the status of caries in children aged 3 to 5 years in China.A total of 40360 children was included in this study,including 12390 children aged 3years,13978 children aged 4 years and 13992 children aged 5 years.The sample showed a well-balanced sex distribution and residence distribution.1.In 3-year-old children,the prevalence of dental caries was 50.8%,the mean dmft was 2.28,and the significant caries index was 6.04;In 4-year-old children,the prevalence of dental caries was 63.6%,the mean dmft was 3.40,and the significant caries index was 8.24;In 5-year-old children,the prevalence of dental caries was71.9%,the mean dmft was 4.24,and the significant caries index was 9.61.There was significant difference in caries status between urban and rural areas(P < 0.001),and no significant difference in caries status between male and female(P > 0.001).2.The ratio of filled teeth was 1.5%,2.9% and 4.0% in children aged 3,4 and 5 years respectively,with significant difference between urban and rural areas(P < 0.001),but no significant difference between male and female(P > 0.001).3.Primary maxillary central incisors were the most common carious teeth in preschool children.PartⅡ The second part shows the results of the questionnaire.1.The proportion of children who had sweet drinks,sweets and candies,and sweetened milk/yogurt/milk powder/tea/coffee everyday was 9.4%,29.1%,and29.8% respectively,and the proportion of children who often ate desserts before sleep was 8.3%.There was significant difference in dietary habits between urban and rural areas,and no significant difference in dietary habits between male and female.2.The proportion of children who brush their teeth everyday were 51.6%,60.4% and66.7% for children aged 3,4 and 5 years,respectively.There was significant difference in oral hygiene habits between urban and rural areas,as well as between male and female.3.The awareness rate of oral health knowledge of children’s parents was 62.3%,and only a few of them knew about pit and fissure sealing and fluoride.The majority of parents held a positive attitude towards oral health,and only a few of them had a correct understanding of "The condition of maternal teeth will affect their children".Part Ⅲ The results in the third part showed that the differences in the prevalence of dental caries and mean dmft were related to the differences in birth weight,feeding approaches within the first half year of life,age when toothbrushing started,dessert before sleep,the frequency of eating dessert,whether toothbrushing or not,location,the scores of parents’ oral health knowledge and attitude,parental education level and family income.Feeding approaches within the first half year of life and dessert before sleep were caries-related factors of dental caries in preschool children.Conclusion: Dental caries status among preschool children in China showed a low onset age,a high prevalence,an increasing trend and a low treatment rate.Children’s dietary habits and oral hygiene habits,as well as parents’ oral health knowledge and attitude,had been improved since the latest national survey.There are significant differences in status of dental caries,dietary habits,oral hygiene habits and parents’ oral health knowledge and attitude among preschool children in urban and rural areas.The preschoolers’ dental caries status was related to feeding approaches within the first half year of life and dessert before sleep.According to the results of this survey,moving forward the timepoint of caries prevention in preschool children,narrowing the gap in the distribution of clinical resources between urban and rural areas,and giving detailed guidance on breastfeeding will be useful to the prevention of caries in preschool children. |
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