An epidemiological survey on prevalence of caries among adults of Yao in Liannan in Guangdong

To explore the prevalence of caries among 35-44 years old adults of Yao in Liannan, North-west of Guangdong, in order to provide basis for the caries prevention.

720 Yao individuals ranged from 35 to 44 years old living in Liannan country and township were selected by multistage stratified random sampling. And then, a cross-sectional survey of caries was carried out.

The prevalence of caries among Yao adults of Liannan was 58.33%. The prevalence of people living in township was higher than those in country (χ² = 7.406, P =0.006). DFT (decay and filled tooth) was 5.63 ± 4.92. DFT of people living in township was higher than those in country (u = 2.704, P = 0.007). The filling rate of caries was 7.20%. The filling rate of people living in country was higher than those in township (χ² = 33.962, P < 0.001). The average number of missing teeth was 3.04. The people living in township had more missing teeth than those in country (u = 5.000, P < 0.001).

There were significant differences between people living in township and country of Yao residents in Liannan, in caries prevalence, filling rate and missing teeth aspects. The filling rate of caries was low and the average number of missing teeth was high. Therefore, the prevention of dental caries should be focused on the people in township. The stomatological human resources should be allocated reasonably. We must intensify the promotion of necessity of caries treatment and carry out treatment of dental caries, in order to increase the filling rate of caries and decrease the number of missing teeth in township of Yao individuals in Liannan, which can improve their living qualities.