CARIES PREVALENCE AND PATTERNS IN 3-6-YEAR-OLD BEIJING CHILDREN

A total of 400 Beijing children, 3-6-yr-old, equally distributed by ag e and sex, were examined for dental cares. Results were analyzed with the traditional dmfs/t index and with the Caries Analysis System. The system differentiated between caries patterns and examined the percent age of affected children (Prevalence), the degree to which these child ren were affected (Severity), and the proportion of total caries each disease pattern represented (Distribution). Over 67% of the children e xperienced caries, a level comparable to other reports From China and other developing countries, but 50% greater than those seen in United States preschool children. Nearly all children with caries experienced fissure caries. In 3-yr-olds maxillary anterior caries was the next m ost prevalent pattern with 43% affected, whilst in the 6-yr-olds, post erior proximal caries was the second most prevalent pattern with 68% a ffected. Since maxillary anterior caries was so prevalent, and because the presence of this pattern has been shown to be a risk factor for f uture caries, preventing the maxillary anterior pattern may markedly r educe caries in this population.