RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The burden of early childhood caries (ECC) in different regions of China with different levels of economic development has been of interest to policymakers and public health workers. AIM: To investigate regional differences in ECC prevalence in China and to identify associated risk factors. METHODS: A total of 11 612 three- to five-year-old children from three geographic regions of China were included in this cross-sectional study. The dmft index was assessed for each child. A questionnaire regarding children's dietary habits, oral health behaviors, parents' socioeconomic status, and attitudes toward oral health was administered. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate associated factors. RESULTS: Caries prevalence in the Eastern, Central and Northwestern regions of China was 63.4% (95% CI: 61.4%-64.5%), 59.4% (95% CI: 58.6%-61.7%), and 59.0% (95% CI: 58.5%-61.6%), respectively. Children from the Northwestern (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.75-0.92) and Central (OR = 0.83, CI: 0.75-0.92) regions of China had a lower risk of experiencing ECC. Dietary habits and parents' specific oral health knowledge and attitudes were associated with ECC. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in ECC prevalence were found in the three regions of China. Multiple factors were associated with ECC. Overall, the burden of ECC was heavy in the examined regions.