Wen Youhan, Liu Yu, Ning Ning, Xu Huiyu, Zhang Jingshu, Zhao Hai, Qin Ran, Wang Lu, Guo Xin, Tao Liyuan
Research Center of Clinical Epidemiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Department of Global Public Health,Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
PLoS One. 2025 Apr 29;20(4):e0322694. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322694. eCollection 2025.
The burden of dental caries continues to be substantial worldwide, significantly affecting adolescents and children's growth and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological characteristics of dental caries and examine influencing factors that contribute to caries among children and adolescents in Beijing.
A total of 21,403 students (average age 12.8 ± 2.5 years old) were included in this cross-sectional survey. The DMFT/dmft index (decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth) was used for screening. Multistage stratified random cluster sampling methods were conducted in primary and secondary schools in Beijing in 2021. Data were collected using questionnaires and assessed using a logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
The overall prevalence of caries was 40.5% (95% CI: 39.8-41.1%). The mean score of DMFT was 1.31 ± 2.11, and the mean score of dmft was 0.39 ± 1.24. Among participants, girls, students in lower grades, those of younger ages, and those with lower BMI levels were more likely to experience dental caries. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following variables as predictors of an increased risk for caries experience: residing in boarding school (odds ratio [OR]=1.15); coming from a rural area (OR = 2.55); frequent consumption of sugary beverages (ORmax = 1.23), and fresh fruit (ORmax = 1.35); breakfast irregularity (ORmax = 1.22); infrequent tooth brushing (ORmax = 1.16); and longer sleep duration (ORmax = 1.30).
Dental caries, widely prevalent among children and adolescents in Beijing, is associated with dietary habits, hygiene practices, and sleep patterns. To effectively mitigate its burden, prevention strategies targeting these identified risk factors should be prioritized.
全球范围内，龋齿负担依然沉重，严重影响青少年和儿童的生长发育及生活质量。本研究旨在探讨北京儿童和青少年龋齿的流行病学特征，并分析导致龋齿的影响因素。
本横断面调查共纳入21403名学生（平均年龄12.8±2.5岁）。采用DMFT/dmft指数（龋（D）、失（M）、补（F）牙数）进行筛查。2021年在北京中小学采用多阶段分层随机整群抽样方法。通过问卷调查收集数据，并采用逻辑回归分析进行评估。设定统计学显著性为P<0.05。
龋齿总体患病率为40.5%（95%CI：39.8-41.1%）。DMFT平均得分1.31±2.11，dmft平均得分0.39±1.24。在参与者中，女孩、低年级学生、年龄较小者以及BMI水平较低者更容易患龋齿。多因素逻辑回归分析确定以下变量为龋齿发生风险增加的预测因素：住校（比值比[OR]=1.15）；来自农村地区（OR=2.55）；经常饮用含糖饮料（OR最大值=1.23）和新鲜水果（OR最大值=1.35）；早餐不规律（OR最大值=1.22）；刷牙不频繁（OR最大值=1.16）；睡眠时间较长（OR最大值=1.30）。
龋齿在北京儿童和青少年中广泛流行，与饮食习惯、卫生习惯和睡眠模式有关。为有效减轻其负担，应优先针对这些已确定的风险因素制定预防策略。
