Prevalence and factors contributing to dental caries in 12–15-year-old school adolescents in northeast China

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the prevalence and factors contributing to dental caries in 12–15-year-old adolescents in northeast China to provide information for dental caries promotion programmes. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional survey including caries examination and questionnaire was performed in Liaoning province, China. 3731 12–15-year-old school adolescents participated in the survey. School adolescents were randomly selected and received a clinical oral examination and completed questionnaires that assessed their oral health-related behaviours and attitudes. RESULTS: Overall, 3731 12–15-year-old school adolescents participated in the survey. The prevalence of dental caries in these adolescents was 53.65%, and the mean number of decayed–missing–filled teeth (DMFT) in the adolescents was 1.64±2.38 in northeast China, which was higher than the mean in China as a whole. A remarkable difference in DMFTwas exhibited between age groups, region and gender (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, region, gender and father’ education were related to the occurrence of caries in these adolescents. CONCLUSION: The 12–15-year-old school adolescents assessed exhibited a high prevalence of dental caries and low awareness of oral health. It is critical to protect permanent teeth, and oral and dental health education and promotion should be more comprehensively integrated into school courses for these adolescents.