Abstract:
Objective To investigate the prevalence and trend of childhood dental caries, review implementation of dental caries prevention policies and to identify the demographic characteristics and influencing factors of children with dental cavities from 2016 to 2018 in Pudong New District of Shanghai.
Methods In June 2019, medical history data of 25 458 children who had oval examinations in child care division of four Community Health Service Centers during 2016 to 2018 in Pudong New District of Shanghai was collected, including demographic information, oral exam results, and dental caries prevention measures.
Results The prevalence of dental caries was 60.7%, 54.66%, and 48.95% in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. The number of dental caries in primary molar teeth was higher than in permanent teeth. The dental caries rates in children were significantly different among four communities (P < 0.05), and the dental caries rate was significantly higher in primary school children than in kindergarten children (P < 0.05). The dental caries rate differed significantly by age (P < 0.05) which initially increased but then decreased by age, with children aged 7-9 years having the highest rate for dental caries. From 2016 to 2018, the fluoride application in children surveyed was 100%, and the use of pit and fissure sealant was 9.06%, 8.54%, and 7.02% in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. The age and number of pit and fissure sealant were the influencing factors of caries in children (P < 0.05).
Conclusions Since 2015, Pudong New District of Shanghai has implemented preventative-fluoride-application program. The program has achieved desired results. The dental caries rate has been decreasing each year. Next step, the focus of caries prevention should be at the early stage of children teeth eruption. Through strengthening oral health publicity of parents, the acceptability and development rate of effective measures for prevention and treatment of dental caries should be further improved, so as to prevent dental caries in the future.