Caries Activity Tests and Associated Factors among 3-5-Year-Old Preschool Children in Zhao County, Hebei Province, China

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ABSTRACT

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the caries activity (CA) and its caries status in children aged 3–5 years in Zhao County, Hebei province, China and to explore the related factors.

Methods

Cariostat caries activity test and oral examination were performed on children aged 3–5 years old in Zhao county, Hebei province by a stratified sampling. A questionnaire survey was used to analyze the CA-related factors and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was to evaluate the diagnostic value of Cariostat caries activity test in children with early childhood caries (ECC).

Results

A total of 693 children aged 3–5 years old were selected. The mean dmft score was 7.6 ± 5.0, and the prevalence of deciduous dental caries was 90.5%. There is a positive correlation between the dmft score and CA value (r = 0.586, P < 0.001). The results of logistic regression analysis shows that the possible risk factors for high CA included: low educational level of mothers, night-weaning at a later age, high frequency of sugary beverages consumption and low frequency of dental visits. The area under the ROC curve was 0.924, and the sensitivity and specificity were 87.40% and 91.17%, respectively.

Conclusion

The caries status among preschool children in Zhao county of Hebei province was serious. The higher the mean dmft of children, the greater the CA value. Mother’s educational level and children’s diet and lifestyle habits were closely related to CA. The Cariostat caries activity test has good efficacy in diagnosing ECC with high sensitivity and specificity.

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