OBJECTIVEThe aim of this survey was to obtain some information about the prevalence of deciduous tooth caries of 5-year-old children in Sichuan province.

METHODSBased on World Health Organization and national oral health survey standards, dental caries prevalence and treatment needs were investigated randomly in selected children of Sichuan province in 2005. And the differences between this survey result and the dental caries prevalence of 5-year-old children of Sichuan province in 1995 were compared.

RESULTSThe prevalence rate of deciduous tooth caries of 5-year-old children in Sichuan province was 58.72%. The mean number of dmft of 5-year-old was 2.77. The filling rate was only 2.32%. The prevalence rate and mean dmft of deciduous tooth caries showed no significant difference between different area and gender; but the children came from city showed significant higher filling rate than those from countryside, so did the female children compared with the male children. Compared these results with the dental caries of 5-year-old children in Sichuan province in 1995, the prevalence rate and mean dmft of deciduous tooth caries in Sichuan province in 2005 had no significant difference, but the filling rate decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe deciduous tooth caries prevalence rate of 5-year-old children is still relatively high in Sichuan province; there remains a proportion of active untreated decays. The dental health care education to the parents and teachers should be emphasized. In order to get the earlier diagnosis and treatment, regular examination and prevention method should be conducted.