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Objective To investigate the oral health behavior of urban and rural students in the 12~15 year age group in Guangdong Province, aiming to provide informational support for adolescent oral health care. Methods A multistage stratified sampling method with equal capacity and simple random sampling was applied to obtain representative samples. A total of 7 680 students aged 12 to 15 were selected from Guangdong Province, with 1 920 in each age group of 12, 13, 14 and 15 years; half were male and half were female, and half were from urban areas and half were from rural areas. According to the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiology Questionnaire Survey Program, a standard questionnaire was designed to conduct on-the-spot investigations on sugar intake, brushing, dental floss usage, fluoride toothpaste usage. Results ① Eating before a meal and before bed: the proportion of sweet snacks, sweet drinks and sugary drinks consumed ≥2 times/day was higher in the rural group than in the urban group (P < 0.001), with only sugary drinks consumed significantly differently by age (P < 0.001). ② The rural group had a significantly lower proportion of brushing ≥ 2 times/day, flossing habits and fluoride toothpaste habits than the urban group (P < 0.001), whereas only fluoride toothpaste habits were significantly different across age groups (P < 0.001). Conclusions Among the students aged 12 to 15 in Guangdong Province, the rural group had a higher proportion of consuming desserts, sweet drinks and sweetened drinks. The proportion of brushing ≥ 2 times/day was lower, and the usage rate of floss and fluoride toothpaste was lower.

As one of the most common chronic diseases of the oral cavity, caries gradually accumulate over the lifetime and affect approximately 80% of the world population. The epidemiological characteristics of the disease are specific in terms of regional distribution, temporal distribution and population distribution. Caries prevalence and mean decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (mean DMFT) scores are the most commonly used indexes in oral epidemiology. Caries prevalence is used to describe the frequency of caries over a certain period of time. In addition, DMFT scores reflect the severity of caries in the population. The caries prevalence and the severity of caries are assessed as part of a dynamic process. In developing countries, caries prevalence is higher among urban populations than among rural populations. Currently, the epidemic characteristics of caries in urban and rural areas are changing, and the caries prevalence of urban residents is lower than that of rural residents. This article is a chronological review of the Oral Health Epidemiological Surveys of China from 1983 to 2015, the Preventive Dentistry study and other related studies. It is concluded that the epidemic characteristics of caries in urban and rural areas in China have changed from a higher caries prevalence in urban areas compared to that in rural areas to a lower caries prevalence in urban areas compared to that in rural areas. Several factors, such as the dynamic development of differences in dietary habits, economic levels and access to oral medical resources of urban and rural residents might have led to changes in caries prevalence in urban and rural areas. The caries prevalence of rural residents has increased greatly, which indicates that the caries prevention efforts of the relevant departments should be focused more on rural areas in the future.

Objective To understand the level and current status of oral health knowledge among people aged 35⁃44 years in Guangdong Province and to provide a reference for oral health education in Guangdong Province. Methods An equal⁃sized, stratified, multistage, random sampling design was applied to obtain representative sample groups consisting of 288 Guangdong residents aged 35⁃44 years in four urban areas and four rural areas with a gender ratio of one to one. According to the Guideline of the 4th National Oral Health Survey, a questionnaire survey was conducted, and a statistical analysis of the questionnaire responses related to oral health knowledge was performed. Results In total, 288 people participated in the survey, of which 95.8 percent were aware that“Oral health is very important to their own lives, and the prevention of oral diseases depends on themselves first” , 76.0% recognized that“Regular oral examination is very necessary” , and 66.7% disagreed that“Teeth were innate and had little to do with their own protection” . The percentages of participants that agreed with the statements“Eating sugar can cause dental caries” ,“Oral disease may affect general health” ,“Bacteria may cause dental caries”and“Bacteria may cause gum inflammation”were 87.2% , 84.7%, 80.9%, and 80.2%, respectively. However, the rates of awareness that teeth could be protected by fluoride and by pit and fissure sealant were only 36.8% and 18.8%, respectively. Conclusion General knowledge of oral health care was relatively high among adults aged 35 ⁃ 44 years in Guangdong Province, but knowledge of fluoride, pit and fissure sealing and caries prevention was relatively low. Oral health education should be continuously improved, especially regarding the popularization of oral health knowledge.

Objective To investigate the dental fluorosis status of permanent teeth of a 12⁃year⁃old population of Guangdong Province to provide informational support for oral health care in Guangdong. Methods An equal ⁃ sized cross⁃sectional random⁃sample assessment was carried out among 1 920 urban and rural residents of Guangdong Prov⁃ ince, half male and half female, aged 12 years. We examined the dental fluorosis status of complete permanent teeth crown based on a health survey and the criteria of clinical dental fluorosis from the fourth national oral health survey. The data were analyzed by SAS9.2 to investigate the prevalence and community fluorosis index as well as gender and ur⁃ ban and rural differences, and compared with the prevalence of fluorosis in Guangdong Province in 2005 and 1995. Re⁃ sults In the 12⁃year⁃old population, the prevalence of dental fluorosis was 5.05%, and the community fluorosis index was 0.108. There was no significant difference between genders（P > 0.05）, but there was a significant difference be⁃ tween subjects from urban and rural areas（P < 0.05）. There were significant differences among prevalence of dental flu⁃ orosis and community fluorosis index in 1995, 2005 and 2015—2016（P < 0.05）. Conclusion The prevalence of den⁃tal fluorosis and the community fluorosis index of 12 ⁃ year ⁃ old people of Guangdong Province are relatively low, but there is an upward trend.

Obiective To investigate the current status of remaining teeth and edentulous jaw arch of people aged 35⁃44, 55⁃64 and 65⁃ 74 in Guangdong province. Methods An equal⁃ sized stratified multi⁃stage randomly sampling design was applied to select a total of 288 Guangdong residents in urban and rural areas, and the subjects were between the age of 35⁃44, 55⁃64 and 65⁃74, with a gender ratio of half to half. The status of remaining teeth and edentulous jaw arch were assessed according to the Guideline for the 4th National Oral Health Survey. Results 88.89% subjects in the 35⁃44 year group had more than 28 teeth and 100% subjects had more than 20 teeth, with an average of 29.88 teeth remaining and no edentulous jaw. The average remaining teeth was 26.06 in the group of 55 ⁃ 64 year, with 87.50% subjects having more than 20 teeth, 59.03% subjects having 28 or more teeth, 4.16% subjects having single edentulous jaw arch, and 1.04% subjects having both edentulous jaw arch. 73.96% and 35.07% subjects in the group of 65⁃74 year had 20 above or 28 above remaining teeth, respectively, and the average teeth was 22.94. There were 8.34% subjects having single edentulous jaw arch and 1.39% subjects having both edentulous jaws. In the 35⁃44 and 65⁃74 year group, the prevalence of missing teeth in the female was significantly higher than the male (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found between urban and rural areas (P > 0.05). More remaining teeth were noticed in current survey (2015) when compared to the data in 2005 (P < 0.05). Conclusion The 35⁃44 year people have few lost teeth, and over half of the elderly people have several lost teeth. Elderly people with edentulous arch are very few.

Objective To investigate current status of periodontal health in the population at the age of 15⁃74 in Guangdong province and provide information for oral health care in Guangdong. Methods A stratified multistage randomly sampling design was applied to obtain 4 provincially representative sample groups consisted of 2784 Guangdong residents, aged at 15, 35⁃44, 55⁃64 and 65⁃74 respectively, with a gender ratio of half to half. The status of probing depth (PD) and loss of attachment (LOA) of the whole mouth were assessed according to the Guideline for the fourth National Oral Health Survey by using a CPI probe, and the data obtained were analyzed with SAS9.2 package. Results The prevalence of shallow periodontal pocket in the 15, 35⁃44, 55⁃64 and 65⁃74 years old group were 0.52%, 38.54%, 49.65%, 47.22% with 0.02, 2.05, 3.74, 2.80 affected teeth on average. The corresponding percentages of deep periodontal pocket in the 4 groups were 0.05%, 3.47%, 15.97%, 9.03% with 0, 0.07, 0.31, 0.16 affected teeth on average. Prevalence and the mean affected teeth of 4⁃5 mm LOA were 0.10%, 26.74%, 33.68%, 35.07% and 0, 1.54, 4.33, 4.05. The prevalence and the mean affected teeth of 6⁃8 mm LOA were 0, 6.94%, 32.29%, 27.08% and 0, 0.24, 1.23, 0.97. The prevalence of LOA≥4 mm were 0.10%, 35.07%, 79.17%, 74.65% and the prevalence of LOA≥6 mm were 0, 8.33%, 45.49%, 39.58%. In the 35⁃74 years old group, the prevalence and the mean teeth with PD and LOA increased with age and reached a peak in 55⁃64 years old group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the prevalence and the mean teeth of PD and LOA between urban and rural areas. The mean teeth of PD in 35⁃44 and 55⁃64 years old groups were significant higher in the male than the female. The prevalence and the mean teeth with LOA were both significant higher in the male than the female. Conclusion The periodontal diseases indications are common in 35⁃74 years old people and most necessary at the age of 55⁃64 in Guangdong. The periodontal health may have extensive influence on oral health status in the middle⁃aged and the elder population in Guangdong.

Objective To investigate the current status of caries on permanent teeth in a population of 55⁃74⁃year⁃ old in Guangdong Province, thus to provide scientific basis for the establishment of oral health care policies in Guang⁃ dong. Methods An equal⁃sized stratified multi⁃stage randomly sampling design was applied to obtain representative sample groups consisted of 288 Guangdong residents each, aged at either 55⁃64 or 65⁃74 years old, with a gender ratio of half to half. The caries on the crowns and roots of permanent teeth were assessed according to "The Guideline for the 4th National Oral Health Survey"; thereafter the prevalence and mean DFT (decayed and filled tooth) of permanent teeth were calculated. Results In the population of 55⁃64⁃year⁃old, the prevalence of crown caries was 77.08%, with a mean DFT of 2.94, and a filled rate of 21.87%; while the prevalence of root caries was 59.38%, with a mean DFT of 1.82, and a filled rate of 9.18%; and the prevalence of residual roots was 46.18%. In the population of 65⁃74⁃year⁃old, the prevalence of crown caries was 81.25%, with a mean DFT of 3.45, and a filled rate of 16.40%; while the prevalence of root caries was 63.19%, with a mean DFT of 2.34, and a filled rate of 9.18%; and the prevalence of residual roots was 50.35%. In the population of 55⁃64⁃year⁃old, the prevalence and the mean DFT of crown caries were higher in female when compared to male. And the mean DFT of root caries were higher in countryside when compared to the urban oppo⁃ nents. In the population of 65⁃74⁃year⁃old, the female had higher mean DFT score in crown caries than that in male. And the prevalence of caries of root and mean DFT of root caries were higher in countryside than that in the urban oppo⁃ nents. Conclusion There was a high level of crown and root caries in Guangdong adults, while the filling rate was low, most of the involved teeth were not filled.

Objective To explore the dental deciduous teeth caries among 3⁃5⁃ year ⁃ old children in Guangdong Province and to provide information support for oral health care of Guangdong Province. Methods A cross⁃sectional survey was carried out among 2 592 urban and rural residents in Guangdong. Subjects were from three different age groups (aged 3, 4 and 5), with 864 children in each group. Male and female were 1∶1 in each group. An equal sized sampling with stratified multistage method was used. According to the criteria of clinical dentition examination of the fourth national oral health survey, the dental caries in deciduous teeth were recorded using CPI probe. And then the prevalence, the mean dmft (decayed ⁃missing ⁃filled tooth), the filled rate were calculated. Results The prevalence of dental caries in deciduous teeth in the three groups of aged 3, aged 4, aged 5 were 58.33%, 68.40%, and 78.47% inde⁃ pendently; the mean dmft were 3.03, 4.34, and 5.69 independently; the filled rate were 0.92%, 1.47%, 1.26% indepen⁃ dently. There were significant differences in the prevalence and the mean dmft between urban and rural areas and among different age groups. There was no significant difference in the prevalence regarding the gender in each group, The mean dmft in the group of aged 3 in female were higher than that in male, while no gender differences were found in the groups of aged 4 and aged 5. The prevalence and the mean dmft of 5⁃year⁃old children were higher than that in 2005. Conclusion The 3⁃5⁃year⁃old children of Guangdong Province had a really high prevalence of dental caries in deciduous teeth. More than 98% of the caries are unfilled, treatment need is extremely huge. The 3⁃5⁃year⁃old children are the main target for us to prevent the early childhood caries.

Objective To explore the caries status of permanent teeth among 12⁃15⁃year⁃old population in Guang⁃ dong Province, and to provide information support for oral health care. Methods A cross⁃sectional survey was carried out among 7 680 urban and rural residents in Guangdong Province. Subjects were from four different age groups (aged 12, 13, 14 and 15), with 1 920 people in each group. An equal⁃sized stratified multistage randomly sampling was used, with a gender ratio of half to half in each group. According to the criteria of clinical dentition examination of the fourth national oral health survey, the crown caries of permanent teeth in the whole mouth were recorded using CPI probe. And then the prevalence, the mean DMFT (decayed⁃missing⁃filled tooth), the filled rate were calculated. Results The preva⁃ lence of crown caries in the groups of aged 12, aged 13, aged 14, aged 15 were 43.07%, 45.31%, 49.69%, 52.86%, re⁃ spectively. The mean DMFTs were 1.06, 1.13, 1.38, 1.59, respectively. The filled rates were 20.19%, 21.50%, 22.86%, 21.33%, respectively. The prevalence and the mean DMFT increased with age (P < 0.001), and both were higher than that in 2005. There were significant differences in the prevalence and the mean DMFT between urban and rural areas and between male and female (P < 0.001). Conclusion According to the criteria of the mean DMFT in 12⁃year ⁃old population of WHO, the severity of caries of permanent teeth in Guangdong was regarded as "very low". But the severity was higher than that in 2005, and the filled rate was low.

Objective To investigate the current status of caries on permanent teeth in adult population at the age of 35⁃44 years old in Guangdong Province, thus to provide scientific basis for the establishment of oral health care policies in Guangdong. Methods An equal⁃sized stratified multi⁃stage randomly sampling design was applied to obtain represen⁃ tative sample groups consisted of 288 Guangdong residents each, aged at 35⁃44 years old, with a gender ratio of half to half. The caries on the crowns and roots of permanent teeth were assessed according to The Guideline for the 4th National Oral Health Survey; thereafter the prevalence and mean DFT (decayed and filled tooth) of permanent teeth were calculat⁃ ed. The data obtained were analyzed using SAS9.2 package. Results In 35⁃44 year ⁃old population, the prevalence of crown caries was 71.18%, with a mean DFT of 2.76, and a filled rate of 36.78%; while the prevalence of root caries was 28.47%, with a mean DFT of 0.66, and a filled rate of 4.23%. The prevalence of caries of crown and root and mean DFT of crown caries were higher in countryside when compared to the urban opponents. And female had higher prevalence and mean DFT score in crown and root caries when compared to male. However, the mean DFT score of root caries in urban was almost the same as that in countryside. Conclusion There was a high level of crown caries in Guangdong. Although the prevalence of root caries is low, most of the involved roots was not filled.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the new development of caries among preschoolers in northern Guangdong and to assess caries-related factors to distinguish groups with different caries risk levels. Methods: Baseline data were recorded for participants from September to November 2019, and participants were reexamined from September to November 2020. A longitudinal observation of 11,973 preschoolers was conducted. The simplified debris index (DI-S) and decayed-missing-filled tooth (dmft) index values were obtained for each participant. Results: Factors associated with whether caries would occur in the future and one-year increase in dmft (Δdmft) included baseline dmft, baseline DI-S, and baseline age. The risk ratio (RR) of caries occurrence and the number of teeth with new-onset caries were 4.482 (95% confidence interval, 4.056– 4.957) and 2.945 (2.742– 3.165) in the participants with baseline dmft ≥ 3, which were higher than those with baseline dmft =1 or 2. In the baseline caries-free group, whether caries would occur in the future was related to the baseline DI-S (95% confidence interval, 0.022– 0.062). The caries incidence of maxillary central incisors (27.9%) was the highest among teeth of preschoolers without caries at baseline, whereas the caries incidence of mandibular first deciduous molars (42.7%) was the highest among teeth of preschoolers with caries at baseline. Conclusion: Baseline dmft is a good predictor of future caries. Children with baseline caries-free status, baseline dmft > 0, and baseline dmft ≥ 3 should be treated with preventive interventions of different intensities and frequencies. The occurrence of future caries in baseline caries-free participants is related to oral hygiene status. Measures to prevent caries on smooth surfaces, such as topical fluoridation, should be applied to all preschoolers. Preschoolers with caries at baseline may be given priority for pit and fissure sealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Erosive tooth wear (ETW) has become a crucial oral health problem over the decades in China. Objectives: To explore the prevalence and risk indicators of ETW among adolescents in Guangzhou, south China. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey of 720 participants was conducted in Guangzhou, using an equal‐sized, stratified, multistage random sampling approach. The participants were from two different age groups (12‐ and 15‐year‐olds), 360 per group. The ratio of males to females was 1:1 in each group. ETW was recorded utilising the basic erosive wear examination (BEWE) index as the dependent variable. Independent variables included age, gender, region, socioeconomic status, dietary factors, oral health measures and others. Results: The prevalence rates (weighted) of ETW and dentin exposure (DE) were 56.1% and 26.2% among adolescents in Guangzhou, with mean teeth (weighted) of 1.8 ± 2.5 and 0.6 ± 1.5, respectively. No matter the prevalence or the mean teeth, the 15‐year‐olds were higher than the 12‐year‐olds; the mean teeth of ETW of males was higher than that of females; the mean teeth of ETW and DE of the adolescents of low socioeconomic status were higher than those of high socioeconomic status. Medium to high risk levels were found for 10.1%. In the multiple regression model, age, gender and taking acidic foods/drinks before sleep were associated with ETW. Conclusions: Moderate ETW in the permanent dentition was common among adolescents in Guangzhou. However, the teeth involved were low. Dietary factors and demographics were the main risk indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]