West China Journal of Stomatology ›› 2023, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (5): 573-581.doi: 10.7518/hxkq.2023.2023071

• Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Meta-analysis of prevalence and filling rate of dental caries in preschool children in China

Zhang Jing(), Wang Yan.()   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Dept. of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
  • Received:2023-03-08 Revised:2023-07-29 Online:2023-10-01 Published:2023-10-08
  • Contact: Wang Yan. E-mail:375056365@qq.com;1290054836@qq.com

Abstract:

Objective This study aims to understand the prevalence and treatment status of dental caries in preschool children aged 3-5 years in China among the past five years. Methods Databases including CNKI, WanFang data, VIP, MEDLINE, EMBASE were systematically searched for the epidemiological literature of dental caries in preschool children in China from 2017 to 2022 for Meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis was carried out by sex, age, geographical region, ethnology, and residence. Results The Meta-analysis enrolled 27 literatures, including 72 788 preschool children; of which, 38 344 children had dental caries. The merged prevalence of dental caries in preschool children was 59.3% (95%CI: 54.6%-63.9%), and the merged filling rate of caries was 5.7% (95%CI: 2.5%-8.8%). In the subgroup analysis, the merged prevalence rates of caries in children aged 3, 4, and 5 years were 46.9% (95%CI: 42.5%-51.4%), 59.0% (95%CI: 55.1%-62.8%), and 67.3% (95%CI: 62.5%-72.2%), respectively, and the difference was significant. In addition, significant differences were found among different regions. The merged prevalence of dental caries in preschool children was the highest in northwest China (68.6%, 95%CI: 55.5%-81.8%) and the lowest in central China (49.1%, 95%CI: 47.3%-51.0%). The merged prevalence of dental caries was not significantly different among preschool children of different genders, ethnicities, and residence. Conclusion The prevalence of dental caries in preschool children aged 3-5 years in China is high and continuously increases. The oral health of preschool children should be comprehensively strengthened, and a three-level strategy should be implemented to prevent diseases.

Key words: preschool child, dental caries, Meta-analysis

CLC Number: