Meta-analysis of prevalence and filling rate of dental caries in preschool children in China.

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.