Objective To understand the prevalence of dental caries among the primary and middle school students in Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, in order to provide a basis for reducing the prevalence and preventing dental caries, as well as providing data support for government departments to grasp the oral health status of the primary and middle school students.

Methods Using the 2020 school year physical examination data of the primary and middle school students in Yuhang District, Zhejiang Province, descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the prevalence of dental caries, dental filling rate, and tooth loss.

Results A total of 181 786 students were surveyed. The prevalence of dental caries was lower in boys (33.47%) than that in girls (36.49%); the dental filling rate was higher in girls (15.84%) than that in boys (13.74%). The prevalence of dental caries among urban primary and middle school students was lower than that of rural students, with 34.57% and 36.26%, respectively; the dental filling rate for urban students (15.41%) was higher than that of rural students (12.13%); the rate of tooth loss among urban students (10.03%) was lower than that of rural students (11.90%). The prevalence of dental caries among middle school students (22.89%) was much lower than that of primary school students (41.85%); middle school students had a lower rate of tooth loss (4.79%) compared to primary school students (12.13%). The prevalence of dental caries was higher in private schools (35.33%) than that in public schools (33.70%); the dental filling rate among students in private schools (16.87%) was higher than that of students in public schools (8.81%); the rate of tooth loss for public schools (4.90%) was lower than that of private schools (12.82%).

Conclusion The prevalence of dental caries is higher among primary school and rural students. Public and rural schools have lower rates of dental fillings. Primary school and rural students have a higher rate of tooth loss. The issue of dental caries should be focused on primary school students and economically underdeveloped areas, and efforts should be made to promote and educate oral health related knowledge, so that students and parents can understand the risks of dental caries and the importance of dental filling treatment. Students who experience dental caries should be detected and treated early to prevent the occurrence of dental caries. Early detection and treatment of dental caries can prevent tooth loss. Relevant departments should provide effective oral hygiene and health education to promote the healthy development of primary and middle school students.