Dental caries of deciduous teeth in children in Guangzhou during 2008-2015

Objective To evaluate dental caries status of deciduous teeth among children in Guangzhou during 2008-2015.Methods A total of 4 482 children aged 5,6 and 9 years were enrolled in Guangzhou by equal probability selection method according to the Third National Oral Health Epidemiological Investigation in 2015.All the subjects were given oral health examination.Data was compared with the first oral health epidemiological survey of children in Guangzhou in 2008.Results The prevalence of dental caries among 5,6 and 9 years old children was 76.78%,80.85%,74.56%,and the mean number of decayed,missed and filled tooth (dmft) was 5.47,5.60 and 3.27,and the filling rates were 4.05%,5.81% and 6.83% in 2015,respectively.The prevalence of dental caries and mean dmft in rural areas (88.77% and 6.41) was higher than in urban areas (73.94% and 4.25) (x2/t was 101.209,13.775,both P<0.01).There was no significant difference between boys and girls.The filling rate in urban areas (7.38%) was higher than the rural areas (1.08%) (x2=58.106,P<0.01).The prevalence of dental caries,mean dmft and filling rates was significantly higher than those in 2008.The prevalence of caries in children aged 5 years was 86.05% in rural areas in 2015,followed by 78.89% in rural areas in 2008,and 74.22% and 48.52% in urban areas in 2015 and 2008 (P<0.01).The prevalence of dental caries and mean dmft was stable among children aged 6 and 9 years old.Conclusion The prevalence of dental caries in children in Guangzhou has increased,and higher prevalence was observed in rural areas,but the growth rate is faster and the treatment seeking is better in urban areas.This calls for early preventive strategies and treatment services,especially among rural areas.