Objective  To examine the prevalence and impact factors of permanent teeth caries among 12 – 15 years old children in Henan province.

  Methods   According to the methodology of the Fourth National Oral Health Survey, we conducted oral examination and questionnaire survey among 3 840 children aged 12 – 15 years recruited from 12 middle schools in four districts/countries of Henan province with stratified multistage probability proportionate to size sampling (PPS) during September – December, 2015.

  Results   Among the 3 786 children with complete information, 1 411 had caries; the prevalence rate of permanent teeth caries was 37.27%; the average decay-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) was 0.73; and the caries filling ratio was 9.26%. There were no significant differences in prevalence rate of permanent teeth caries (37.46% vs. 37.07%) and mean DMFT index (0.74 ± 1.37 vs. 0.73 ± 1.23) between the urban and the rural children; but the caries filling ratio was significantly higher among the urban children than that among the rural children (14.31% vs. 4.09%, χ² = 85.862; P < 0.05). Compared to the boys, the girls had significantly higher prevalence rate of permanent teeth caries (42.34% vs. 32.34%), mean DMFT index (0.86 ± 1.37 vs. 0.60 ± 1.20), and caries filling ratio (10.39% vs. 7.69%) (P < 0.05 for all). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that gender, age, paternal education, self-perceived oral health status, and dental care experience were significantly associated with the prevalence of permanent teeth caries among the children.

  Conclusion  The permanent teeth caries is prevalent among 12 – 15 years old children in Henan province and interventions on oral health should be promoted among the children.