Trends and prevalence of dental caries in children aged 3 to 5 years in Beijing, 2013 to 2023: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background This study aimed to explore the trends and prevalence of dental caries in children aged 3 to 5 years in Beijing from 2013 to 2023. Methods A repeated cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted by analyzing oral examination data derived from the Beijing public health program for children aged 3 to 5 years in Beijing over an 11-year period from 2013 to 2023. The dmft index, the prevalence of dental caries, and the dental caries filling ratio serve as key indicators for assessing the status of deciduous teeth caries. Results Overall, the prevalence of dental caries and the dmft index among children aged 3 to 5 years in Beijing exhibited a consistent and gradual downward trend from 2013 to 2023. The dental caries filling ratio among 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children increased significantly from 2013 to 2019 but decreased in 2023 to below the 2019 level. Conclusions Over the past 11 years, the prevalence of dental caries among children aged 3 to 5 years in Beijing has exhibited a general downward trend.