Deciduous dental caries status and associated risk factors among preschool children in Xuhui District of Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND: This study aims to understand the deciduous dental caries status of preschool children in Xuhui District of Shanghai, China and to analyze the associated risk factors. METHODS: In January of 2016, a cross-sectional investigation was conducted to examine the oral health of all the kindergarten children in Xuihui District of Shanghai, China. Meanwhile, a field questionnaire survey was conducted with the children’s guardians to ascertain the potential risk factors associated with deciduous dental caries. RESULTS: Among 11,153 children, the prevalence of deciduous dental caries was 47.02%, and the mean dmft score was 2.21. The first three predilection sites were maxillary central primary incisors, mandible second primary molars, and mandible first primary molars. There were statistically significant differences in caries prevalence and dmft among different age groups and different household registration (Hukou) types (P < 0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression suggested that the possible risk factors for deciduous caries included: older age, drinking sweetened beverages frequently, often or usually eating sweets before sleep compared to rarely/never eat them at this time, exclusive or predominant breastfeeding compared to exclusive or predominant artificial feeding and latter introduction of toothbrushing. On the other hand, Shanghai Hukou families, high educational level of guardians (high school or college education), regular parental support for children’s toothbrushing, guardians’ oral health knowledge, and a good perception about children’s oral health conditions were shown as potential protective factors for deciduous dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: The deciduous dental caries status of preschool children in Xuhui District of Shanghai was still serious. The caries prevalence in Xuhui, China, is associated with children’s age, household registration type, oral health habits, feeding habits, guardians’ education level, parental perception about children’s oral health and knowledge about oral health. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12903-018-0565-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.