Objective: To investigate and compare the prevalence of deciduous dental caries among preschool children from kindergartens in the urban and suburban areas of Chengdu

China

and to provide a reference for preventive measures against caries in children. Methods: A total of 14 581 children aged 3 ～ 6 years from 17 kindergartens in the urban area of Chengdu and 40 kindergartens in Xinjin County were enrolled in this study. Oral examination was conducted in accordance with the diagnostic criteria of the Third National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey

and data on dental caries were collected and calculated

including caries prevalence rate and decayed

missing

and filled teeth（DMFT）. SPSS 24.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Among the 5 319 children from the urban area of Chengdu

the caries prevalence rate was 49.46%（2631/5319） with a DMFT of 1.81

while among the 9 262 children in Xinjin County

the caries prevalence rate was 53.22%（4929/9262） with a DMFT of4.82. The caries prevalence rate was different between different age groups（c2= 142.481

P < 0.001）

significantly lower in the 3-year-old group than in other age groups（P < 0.05）. The preschool children in the suburban area had a significantly higher caries prevalence rate than those in the urban area（53.22% vs 49.46%

c2= 19.064

P < 0.001）.Conclusion: The caries prevalence rate among preschool children in Chengdu is lower than the national average level. The preschool children in the suburban area of Chengdu have higher caries prevalence rate and DMFT than those in the urban area.