Analysis of economic burden of deciduous dental caries in the 5-year-old children and its regional disparities in China:a comparative study in 2005 and 2015

XI Yu-ming; ZHANG Shan-shan; LIU Xue-nan; ZHENG Shu-guo; SUN Xiang-yu

doi:10.19538/j.kq.2025.05.013

Abstract：Objective To analyze the economic burden and the regional disparities of deciduous dental caries among 5-year-old Chinese children in 2005 and 2015.Methods The study was conducted at Peking University School of Stoma-tology(Jan.-Apr.2025).Based on data from China's 3rd(2005)and 4th(2015)National Oral Health Epidemiological Surveys(5-year-old group),the demographic and economic data of China Statistical Yearbooks in 2005 and 2015,the current medical service pricing regulations issued by the medical security bureaus of provinces,autonomous regions and municipalities and the guidelines for the initiation of dental medical service price projects(Trial)issued by the National Medical Security Bureau in March 2025,and World Bank open data,the direct economic burden calculation model was established by setting Low-Cost Treatment Plan(LCTP)and Medium-to-High-Cost Treatment Plan(MHCTP)via unit-cost approach,while indirect economic burden calculation model was established using human capital approach,in order to quantify the economic burden and regional dispar-ities caused by untreated deciduous caries.Results The total direct economic burden of deciduous dental caries among 5-year-old children was approximately ¥4.62 bil-lion in 2005 and ¥4.63 billion in 2015 based on the LCTP.Based on the MHCTP,the total direct economic burden remained at approximately ¥6.23 billion for both years.The indirect economic burden increased from ¥1.97 billion in 2005 to ¥4.44 billion in 2015.Notably,central/western/re-mote regions exhibited higher per-capita direct burdens and there was significant indirect burden growth,and most rural children faced heavier direct burdens than urban counterparts.Conclusion The total economic burden of deciduous dental caries among 5-year-old children in China in 2005 and 2015 remains enormous.Children in the central and west-ern regions,remote areas and rural areas face greater economic burden challenges.