Purpose
Gaining insight into the dental caries conditions and contributing factors affecting school-aged left-behind children in rural China lays the groundwork and offers theoretical backing for future studies focused on preventing and treating dental caries in these children, as well as for early interventions in their oral health.
Method
A cluster random stratified sampling approach was utilized to carry out oral health assessments and survey questionnaires among 1,613 school-aged children, both left-behind and non-left-behind, in rural western China. The research aimed to compare the rates of dental caries between these two groups of children and used chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis to investigate the factors that affect the development of dental caries in children.
Result
The research findings indicate that the overall rate of dental caries in the studied population is 93.37%. Specifically, the prevalence among left-behind children is 94.97%, compared to 91.73% for non-left-behind children. This difference is statistically significant, with left-behind children showing a notably higher rate of dental caries (χ2 = 6.83, P = 0.009). The total filling rate stands at 8.76%, with left-behind children having a rate of 7.36% and non-left-behind children at 10.25%. A comparison of the filling rates between these two groups reveals a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 3.906, P = 0.048). The overall sealant rate is 3.72%, with left-behind children at 2.09% and non-left-behind children at 5.39%. Similarly, the comparison of sealant rates between the two groups also indicates a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 12.279, P < 0.001).The findings from the multi-factor logistic analysis indicate that being female (OR = 2.933, 95% CI: 1.253–6.862) and not using fluoride toothpaste (OR = 3.416, 95% CI: 1.062–10.992) are associated with an increased risk of dental caries in left-behind children (P < 0.05). Conversely, irregular fluoride use (OR = 0.334, 95% CI: 0.132–0.847), regular fluoride use (OR = 0.032, 95% CI: 0.010–0.097), and maintaining a consistent brushing schedule (OR = 0.195, 95% CI: 0.045–0.836) serve as protective factors against dental caries in this population (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
In rural western China, left-behind children experience a notably high rate of dental caries, and the current prevention and control measures are inadequate. The rates of cavity fillings and the application of pit and fissure sealants are low, highlighting the urgent need to improve dental caries prevention among these children. It is essential to create targeted intervention strategies, conduct regular oral health check-ups for children, and educate caregivers about oral health. These efforts will aid children in developing proper oral hygiene practices, increase their awareness of oral health, and ultimately decrease the prevalence of dental caries.
