Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of dental caries among migrant children aged 6-12 years in Minhang district of Shanghai, so as to provide some basic data for children health care. METHODS: Ten thousand and eleven school children in 8 primary schools of Minhang district of Shanghai were investigated by cluster random sampling. Visual examination combined with probe inspection was used to diagnose caries, and then rate of caries and DMFT (decayed,missing and filled teeth) were calculated. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries among children aged 6-12 years was 67.07%, which was significantly higher than that in children from government-owned schools (61.99%)(P<0.01). The prevalence of caries was 75.82% in 6-year-old group and highest compared to other groups. CONCLUSIONS: It can't be optimistic about the caries prevalence among migrant children aged 6-12 years in Minhang district,Shanghai.More attentions should be payed in prevention and early intervention of dental caries for children above 6 years old.

Key words: Migrant children, Dental caries, Caries incidence