Yan et al.

Int Chin J Dent 2003; 3: 115-117.

Epidemic investigation on permanent tooth caries in 15-year age
children in Anhui Province, P. R. China
Yuchun Yan, DDS, Yong Jiang, DDS, Xiaolan Han, DDS, and Li Zhang, DDS
Department of Dentistry, Anhui Medical University Hospital, Hefei, P. R. China
Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of permanent tooth caries in 15-year age children in Anhui
Province, P. R. China.
Materials and Methods: Totally 2,325 children in 15-year age from four cities in Anhui province wereinvestigated by non-proportional stratified cluster sampling method, including 1,163 males and 1,162
females, 1,472 urban and 852 rural people. The permanent tooth XDMF, the permanent caries prevalence
rate, and the permanent tooth proportions of DMF were investigated. The results were compared with thenational average level by U tests.
Results: XDMFT was 0.95, lower than the national level 1.42 significantly (p<0.001). The permanent
caries prevalence rate was 39.78%, lower than the national level 52.43% significantly (p<0.001). The
permanent tooth proportions of DMF were 86.78% (D), 4.30% (M), and 8.92% (F) respectively. Comparedwith the national level of 82.84% (D), 1.21% (M), and 15.95% (F), Anhui province’s caries but not filled
proportion was almost the similar (p>0.05), missed teeth proportion was higher significantly (p<0.001) but
filled teeth proportion was lower significantly (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, Anhui province’s XDMFT and permanent caries
prevalence rate were lower than the national level in 15-year age children. However, Anhui province’s
missed teeth proportion was higher but filled teeth proportion was lower. It indicates that government
planers should adopt more effective ways to detail with the permanent caries in children in Anhui province.
(Int Chin J Dent 2003; 3: 115-117.)
Clinical Significance: Epidemic investigation on permanent tooth caries in 15-year age children in Anhui
Province was performed, and the result was compared with that of the national level.
Key Words: child, dental caries, epidemic investigation, permanent tooth.

Introduction
There is an important growing stage for children at 15-year age. Epidemic investigation1 was taken on
permanent tooth caries in 15-year age children from 1999 to 2001 in Anhui Province, P. R. China.

Materials and Methods
According to the economic development in Anhui province, four cities were selected in this study. They115

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Int Chin J Dent 2003; 3: 115-117.

were Hefei, Wuhu, Fuyang, and Tongcheng cities. The local residents who never leave their born place
were investigated. Residents moving from other place are not included in this study. Totally 2,325 local
residents in 15-year age from four cities in Anhui province were investigated by non-proportional stratified
cluster sampling method, including 1,163 males and 1,162 females, 1,472 citizens and 852 rural people.
The permanent tooth XDMF, the permanent caries prevalence rate, and the permanent tooth proportionsof DMF were investigated. Diagnostic standard is following the national standard, which is translated from
WHO oral cavity health survey method. The investigated tooth was classed into the following; 1) healthtooth, 2) decayed tooth, 3) filled tooth with caries, 4) filled tooth without caries, 5) lost tooth for caries, and6) tooth out of above. Investigation quality is coordinated by two dentists and controlled by the leader ofeach investigation group. The investigation coordinators and group leaders were selected by consistent test
whose Kappa value is above 0.60. The group leaders trained the investigators until they passed theconsistent test. Statistical analysis was carried with SPSS software. The permanent caries prevalence rate
and the permanent tooth proportions of DMF were compared by U test.

Results
The permanent tooth XDMF in this study showed the total average is 0.95, urban 1.10, rural 0.68, male0.86, female 1.03, which are lower than the corresponding national level 1.42 (p<0.001), 1.54 (p<0.001),
1.17 (p<0.001), 1.22 (p<0.001), and 1.61 (p<0.001) significantly.
The permanent caries prevalence rate showed the total average is 39.78%, male 36.63%, female 42.94%,
urban 43.89%, rural 32.71%, which is lower than the corresponding national level 52.43% (p<0.001),
47.74% (p<0.001), 57.11% (p<0.001), 55.70% (p<0.001), and 45.89% (p<0.001) significantly.
Table 1. The permanent tooth XDMF in 15-year age children.
GroupUrban
RuralSexMaleFemale
TotalMale
FemaleTotaln735
737
1,472428425853

D
0.87±1.39
1.01±1.49
0.94±1.44
0.59±1.18
0.65±1.14
0.62±1.16M
0.03±0.20
0.07±0.42
0.05±0.33
0.02±0.19
0.04±0.27
0.03±0.23F
0.09±0.40
0.14±0.55
0.11±0.48
0.03±0.20
0.04±0.27
0.04±0.24

XDMF
0.99±1.67
1.21±2.03
1.10±1.86
0.64±1.33
0.72±1.36
0.68±1.34

Table 2. The permanent caries prevalence rate in 15-year age children.
GroupDnMFDMF

nRate (%)

nRate (%)

nRate (%)

nRate (%)

Male

1,163

426

36.63

25

2.15

58

4.99

426

36.63

Female1,162499

42.94

35

3.01

70

6.02

499

42.94

Urban

1,472

646

43.89

38

2.58

96

6.52

646

43.89

Rural

853

279

32.71

222.58

32

3.75

279

32.71

Total

2,325

925

39.78

60

2.58

128

5.51

925

39.78

116

Yan et al.

Int Chin J Dent 2003; 3: 115-117.

Table 3. The permanent tooth proportion of DMF in 15-year age children.
GroupUrban

RuralSex

nDM

F

n%

n%

n%

Male

735

639

87.77

212.8867

9.20

Female73774483.41

505.6110311.55

Total

1,472

1,383

85.42

71

4.39

162

10.01

Male

428

253

92.34

93.28

14

5.11

Female

425

276

90.20

154.90175.56

Total

853

529

91.21

24

4.14

31

5.34

The permanent tooth proportion in this study showed that D (Decayed tooth) is 86.78%, M (Missedtooth) 4.30%, F (Filled tooth) 8.92%. Compared with the corresponding national level D: 82.84% (p>0.05),
M: 1.21% (p<0.001), F: 15.95% (p<0.001), the missing tooth proportion in Anhui province is higher andthe filling tooth proportion is lower significantly.

Discussion
Epidemic investigation was taken on permanent tooth caries in 15-year age children from 1999 to 2001
in Anhui Province, P. R. China. It showed that the permanent tooth XDMF in 15-year age children, thepermanent caries prevalence rate and the filling tooth proportion are lower than the national level in Anhui
province, however, the missing tooth proportion is higher than the national level.
It indicates that government planers should adopt more effective ways to detail with the permanent caries
in children in Anhui province.

References
1. Guides of the epidemic investigation for oral diseases. Beijing: People's Health Publisher; 1999. p. 8-13, 107, 116.

Reprint request to:
Dr. Yuchun Yan
Department of Dentistry, Anhui Medical University Hospital
Hefei 230022, P. R. China
Tel: +86-551-2922013
Received on July 10, 2003. Revised on September 12, 2003. Accepted on November 8, 2003.
Copyright ©2003 by the Editorial Council of the International Chinese Journal of Dentistry.

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