Oral Health Status and Risk Factors for Caries in Permanent Teeth among 12-year-old Students in Guangdong, Southern China: A Population-based Epidemiological Survey

Purpose: To assess the current prevalence of caries, gingival bleeding, calculus, and fluorosis and to determine the risk factors for caries in permanent teeth of 12-year-old students in Guangdong Province, China. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1920 12-year-old students in Guangdong Province. All participants were required to undergo an oral health examination. Information concerning the subjects' family background, dietary habits, and relevant oral health behaviour were collected in a structured questionnaire. Chi-squared tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and the logistic regression model were used in the statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence rates of caries in permanent teeth, gingival bleeding, calculus, and fluorosis were 43.07%. 40.57%, 43.75%, and 5.05%, respectively; the average decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was 1.06 +/- 1.721. Residence (odds ratios [OR] rural=1.798, 95% CI: 1.485-2.177), sex (OR female=1.352, 95% CI: 1.121-1.631), paternal education level (OR >9 years=0.755, 95% CI: 0.608-0.936), presence of calculus (OR yes=1.279, 95% CI: 1.057-1.548), and frequency of consumption of sugary snacks (OR frequently=1.418, 95% CI: 1.064-1.890) were statistically significantly associated with the risk of permanent teeth caries. Conclusion: Oral health in 12-year-olds in Guangdong Province remains to be improved. Rural residence, female sex, the presence of calculus, and frequent consumption of sugary snacks could increase the risk of caries. The paternal educational level was negatively associated with the risk of caries, whereas we found no association between the maternal educational level and the risk of caries in this population.