ObjectiveTo investigate the status of primary teeth caries among 3-6 years old children in Huangpu District, Shanghai.

MethodsAccording to the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey, the primary teeth caries of 3 273 preschool children aged from 3 to 6 years were clinically examined.The data on prevalence of dental caries, dmft and relative component were collected and compared with those from the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey.

ResultsThe prevalence of dental caries among 3-6 years old children in Huangpu district was 51.4%.The mean DMFT(decayed-missing-filled tooth) dmft score was 2.39 and the filling rate was 15.5%.The caries status and filling status of deciduous teeth increased with age.The percentage of caries and DMFT in males were not significantly different from those of the females (P>0.05).82.7 percent of cavities in 5 years old children were concentrated in one-third of children.Maxillary deciduous central incisors and mandibular deciduous molars were the most prone to decay.Compared with the results of the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiology Survey, the dental caries rate and the mean DMFT score in children aged 3, 4 and 5 in Huangpu District were lower than those of the national level, and the filling proportion was higher than that of the national level.

ConclusionThe prevalence and filling of caries in preschool children in Huangpu district of Shanghai is lower than the national level, but the caries prevalence is still high and caries filling is still insufficient.The results indicate that the caries prevention and control of preschool children, especially the caries high-risk children, should be further strengthened, and primary caries prevention should be carried out in children under 3 years of age.