Conception of public health was firstly put forward by American professor Winslow. Ensuring and promoting the health of general population is the key connotation for the definition of public health. Oral disease has become a public health problem. Caries which preventable and curable is the most common oral disease and the etiology is also clear. Oral health comprehensive intervention program for children in central and western regions was set up in 2008 by Chinese government. The program included sealing on the first permanent molar and oral health education towards primary school children covering mid-west area. This was the first oral health program invested by government and managed by Chinese Stomatological Association. Six years later, the program was popularized to the whole nation, and renamed as national oral health comprehensive intervention program for children in China. The program had made deep impact on development of oral health service in China. The study tries to analyze the challenges of oral health service through reviewing the background, content, organization and effectiveness of the program, aiming to provide suggestions on policy, financing, system, ability and technology for the future development.
Child ; Humans ; China ; Dental Caries/epidemiology* ; Oral Health ; Public Health ; Dental Health Services

OBJECTIVES: 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. CONCLUSIONS 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.
Humans ; Male ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Dental Caries/therapy* ; Prevalence ; Oral Health ; China/epidemiology*

Objective To investigate the oral health status and awareness of urban children in Lhasa,aiming to provide a data basis for the prevention and treatment of children's caries and the promotion of oral health education. Methods A total of 504 Tibetan students were selected by cluster sampling from 2 primary schools in Chengguan District of Lhasa.All the participants were required to take oral health examination and complete a questionnaire about oral health awareness and behavior. Results The caries prevalence rate and mean decayed-missing-filled tooth(DMFT)of permanent teeth were 75.00% and 2.18±1.91,respectively.The rates of pit and fissure sealant and filling of permanent teeth were 3.77% and 6.81%,respectively.The caries prevalence rate of first permanent molars was 47.62%.The mean DMFT of permanent teeth and caries prevalence rate of first permanent molar were significantly higher in female group(
Child ; DMF Index ; Dental Caries/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Prevalence ; Schools ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Globally, dental caries may be a major public health issue which may be preventable. Many studies have been conducted on dental caries in Ethiopia which present inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was expected to consolidate the findings conducted in various regions of the country and generate country representative information on the burden and its associated factors of dental caries in Ethiopia. METHODS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to estimate the pooled prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Medical specialty databases like ScienceDirect, HINARI, Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library were consistently and exhaustively searched. To determine the aggregate prevalence, studies delineating the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors were included. Important data were extracted employing a standardized data extraction tool ready in Microsoft Excel and imported to the STATA version-13 statistical software package for analyses. To assess non-uniformity, the Cochrane Q test statistics and I RESULTS: The result of thirteen studies disclosed that the overall prevalence of dental caries in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was found to be 40.98 (31.62, 50.34). Within the subgroup analysis, the uppermost prevalence was determined in Tigray region (46.59% (24.64, 68.54)) whereas the bottom prevalence was determined in Addis Ababa (34.20% (8.42, 59.97)). Dental caries prevalence was considerably high among study subjects who consumed sweet food (OR= 2.4 (95% CI (1.91, 3.01))). But the presence of dental plaque (OR = 5.14 (95% CI (0.67, 39.39))) and habit of tooth- cleaning (OR = 0.71 (95% CI (0.17, 2.96))) were not statistically significant with the outcome of interest. CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis found that the prevalence of dental caries was comparatively high, and sweet food consumption was the most risk issue for dental caries in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health ought to offer a lot of attention to strengthen the oral health care system and also the implementation of community-level interference programs.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Ethiopia/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDS: Previous surveys have found that children with iron deficiency (ID) were likely to suffer from early childhood caries (ECC). We aimed to assess the scientific evidence about whether ID is intrinsically related to ECC. METHODS: The medical subject headings (MeSH) terms and free words were searched on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and the Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals from March 2020 to September 2020. Two researchers independently screened the articles. Data extraction and cross-checking were performed for the studies that met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager 5.3 software. RESULTS: After excluding duplication and irrelevant literature, 12 case-control studies were included in the study. The meta-analysis demonstrated that children with ECC were more likely to have ID (odds ratio [OR] = 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.85, 3.73], P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant association found between the level of serum ferritin and ECC (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -5.80, 95% CI: [-11.97, 0.37], P = 0.07). Children with ECC were more likely to have iron-deficiency anemia (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: [2.41,3.11], P < 0.001). The hemoglobin (HGB) levels in the ECC group were significantly lower compared with that in the ECC-free group (WMD = -9.96, 95% CI: [-15.45, -4.46], P = 0.0004). The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) levels in the ECC group were significantly lower compared with that in the ECC-free group (WMD = -3.72, 95% CI: [-6.65, -0.79], P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS ID was more prevalent in children with ECC, and the markers of iron status in the ECC group, such as serum ferritin, HGB, and MCV, were relatively lower than the ECC-free group.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/epidemiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dental Caries Susceptibility ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Humans ; Iron Deficiencies

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that there are parents who do not take children with untreated dental caries to a dental clinic, few studies have been conducted to identify the responsible underlying social and family factors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors are associated with dental neglect in elementary school children. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2016 with 1655 children from the Super Shokuiku School Project in Toyama. Using Breslow's seven health behaviors, the survey assessed: the grade, sex, and lifestyle of the children; parental internet and game use and lifestyle; socioeconomic status. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for having untreated dental caries were calculated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the children participating, 152 (3.2%) had untreated dental caries. Among them, 53 (34.9%) had not been taken to a dental clinic despite the school dentist's advice. Dental neglect was significantly associated with children in higher grades (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.14-3.78), father's Internet and game use ≥ 2 h/day (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.02-3.88), not being affluent (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.14-6.81), and non-engagement in afterschool activities (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.10-3.62). CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic status was the strongest factor associated with dental neglect despite the fact that the children's medical expenses are paid in full by the National Health Insurance in Toyama, Japan. Future studies should investigate what factors prevent parents of non-affluent families from taking their children to dental clinics and how they can be socially supported to access adequate medical care.
Age Factors ; Child ; Dental Caries/psychology* ; Female ; Humans ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Life Style ; Male ; Prevalence ; Social Class

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association between psychological distress and oral health status/oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) in Japanese community-dwelling people. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Nagasaki Islands Study. A total of 1183 (455 men and 728 women) has been analyzed in this study. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Oral health status was measured by dental examination. The OHQoL was measured using the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). We defined the total score of ≥5 points on the K6 as high psychological distress (high-K6 group). RESULTS: The multiple linear regression analysis to identify the GOHAI showed that gender, K6, the total number of teeth, the number of dental caries, and visiting a dental clinic within the past 6 months significantly associated with the GOHAI. Among all of these variables, high-K6 (≥ 5) was a substantial contributing factor of the GOHAI (β = - 0.23, 95% Cl - 2.31 to -1.41, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS It is likely that the individual with high psychological distress was strongly related to poor OHQoL even in the general population.
Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dental Caries/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Independent Living/statistics & numerical data* ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oral Health/statistics & numerical data* ; Quality of Life/psychology* ; Sex Factors ; Stress, Psychological/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors of radiation-induced caries by using a multiple linear regression equation and to provide the basis for the effective prevention of radioactive caries. METHODS: A total of 166 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent radiotherapy were selected as subjects. The number of decayed, missing or filled surfaces were recorded. Questionnaire contents included age, sex, radiation dose, and radiotherapy techniques. Multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of radiation-induced caries. RESULTS: Multiple stepwise regression analyses indicated that the main risk factors of radiation-induced caries were plaque index, radiotherapy techniques, time after radiotherapy, and radiotherapy dose. CONCLUSIONS The awareness of dental care and caries treatment should be improved to reduce the occurrence of radiation-induced caries in patients with head and neck cancer. In addition, intensity modulated radiation therapy should be employed to decrease the radiation exposure dose received by teeth.
Dental Caries ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Radiation Injuries ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Tooth

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and related factors of deciduous caries in 3-5-year-old preschool children in Chongqing city. Results will be used to provide a basis for the establishment and adjustment of prevention and intervention of caries in preschool children. METHODS: We referred to the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey. Data included caries prevalence in preschool children, and the questionnaires were distributed to children' parents in Chongqing city. Results were inputted by Epidata 3.1 and statistically analyzed using SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: A total of 1 350 preschool children were included in the study. We found that maxillary deciduous central incisor and mandibular deciduous molars were susceptible to decay. The prevalence of primary teeth caries in preschool children in Chongqing city was 51.4% (694/1 350). The mean decayed-missing-filled-teeth (dmft) index was 2.34. The caries prevalence and mean dmft between age groups were statistically significant (P<0.01) and increased with age (P<0.05). However, except the 5-year-old group (P<0.05), no significant difference in caries prevalence rate and mean dmft was found between male and female children (P>0.05). Approximately 61.7% of caries cases were concentrated in a small number (36.1%) of individuals. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, highest educational level of parents, intake frequency of sweetened beverages and carbonated drinks, toothache or similar discomfort experience over the past year, dentist visits, and parents' assessment of teeth and oral health status of children were the factors influencing the prevalence of deciduous caries (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS More than half of the preschool children had dental caries. Majority of caries were concentrated in a small number of individuals. The age of children, highest educational level of parents, intake frequency of sweetened beverages and carbonated drinks, toothache or discomfort experience over the past year, dentist visits, and parents' assessment of teeth and oral health status of children were associated with the prevalence of deciduous caries.
Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; DMF Index ; Dental Caries ; epidemiology ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Tooth, Deciduous

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the association of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke with dental caries among preschool children. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke was assessed in terms of urinary cotinine concentrations and pack-years of exposure to smoking by parents and other family members at home. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 405 preschool children aged 3-6 years from two preschools in Japan in 2006. Information on the smoking habits of family members living with the child was obtained from parent-administered questionnaires. Dental examination was conducted to assess dental caries, that is, decayed and/or filled teeth. Urinary cotinine levels were measured using first-void morning urine samples. RESULTS: Overall, 31.1% of the children had dental caries, and 29.5% had decayed teeth. Exposure to current maternal and paternal smoking was positively associated with the presence of dental caries after controlling for covariates. More than three pack-years of exposure to maternal smoking and more than five pack-years of exposure to smoking by all family members were significantly associated with the presence of dental caries as compared with no exposure (odds ratio [OR] = 5.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.17-14.22, P for trend < 0.001 and OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.12-3.58, P for trend = 0.004, respectively). These exposure variables were similarly associated with the presence of decayed teeth (OR = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.23-6.96, P for trend = 0.01 and OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 0.96-3.20, P for trend = 0.03, respectively). As compared with lowest tertile of the urinary cotinine level, the highest tertile of the urinary cotinine level was significantly associated with the presence of dental caries as well as decayed teeth; the ORs for the highest vs. lowest tertile of urinary cotinine levels were 3.10 (95% CI = 1.71-5.63, P for trend = 0.012) and 2.02 (95% CI = 1.10-3.70, P for trend = 0.10), respectively. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that exposure to tobacco smoke may have a dose-dependent influence on the development of caries.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cotinine ; urine ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dental Caries ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Japan ; epidemiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Parents ; Paternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects ; Tobacco Smoking ; adverse effects ; epidemiology