title: Dental caries prevalence and distribution among preschoolers in Singapore.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the prevalence, severity and distribution of dental caries among preschoolers in Singapore.
  
  
  METHODS
  population-based, cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  13 randomly selected People's Action Party Community Foundation (PCF) Education Centers, the main provider of preschool education in Singapore.
  
  
  METHODS
  1782 children aged 3-6 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The caries status was evaluated by using WHO examination procedures and diagnostic criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 40% children (26%, 37%, and 49% for 3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 year-olds, respectively) were affected by caries. The mean (SD) deft and defs were 1.54 (2.75) and 3.30 (7.49), respectively. About 90% of the affected teeth were decayed teeth. A significantly skewed distribution of caries lesions was revealed, indicating that 16% children with high caries activity (deft > or =4) were carrying 78% lesions. Rampant caries, defined as caries affecting the smooth surfaces of two or more maxillary incisors, was found in 16.5% of children. About 61% of affected surfaces were smooth surfaces. Malays and boys tended to have more rampant caries. Higher caries severity and treatment need were found among Malays and children in the low socio-economic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caries is a severe oral health problem for Singaporean preschoolers, especially in the Malay community and among children with low economic status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore.
authors.forename: X L
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: C Y S
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Hwamg
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors