Abstract:
Objective To analysis the association between dental caries prevalence and oral health behavior of preschool children, in order to provide evidence for preventing dental caries.
Methods The research data came from the national special program for science & technology basic resources investigation of China, named “National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for 0 ~ 18 years Old Children in China” which surveyed from 2019 to 2021. And the data of 9 841 preschool children’s demographic characteristics, children’s dental caries and their oral health behavior were analyzed, the children were from 14 provinces (autonomous region, municipality directly under the central government) of 7 areas.
Results The prevalence of dental caries in preschool children was 33.70%. The prevalence of dental caries in children aged 3 −, 4 −, and 5 − 6 years old were 25.6%, 34.61% and 40.42%, respectively, showing a gradual increase trend (χ2trend = 12.58, P < 0.001). The prevalence of dental caries in urban children was higher than that in rural children (37.77% vs. 29.44%) and there was difference statistically significant (P < 0.001). Children who were often allowed to eat any food they liked had higher dental caries (36.87%)than those who were rarely or occasionally allowed to do so (33.05%), and children who brushed or rinsed their teeth after three meals had lower prevalence of dental caries (32.17%).
Conclusions The prevalence of dental caries in preschool children is high. Dental caries was associated with oral health behavior, such as being allowed to eat any food they liked and brushing or rinsed their teeth after three meals. Parents and children should improve their knowledge and awareness of oral health, develop good oral health habits, and promote children's oral health.
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