A Systematic Review of Dental Caries Experience in Preschool Children, Is It Related to a Child's Place of Residence and Family Income?

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in childhood, significantly affecting preschool-aged children’s oral health, nutrition, and quality of life. Socioeconomic factors, including family income and residential environment, have been proposed as determinants influencing the prevalence and severity of dental caries. This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence examining the relationship between preschool children’s dental caries experience and their place of residence (urban vs. rural) and family income levels. A structured literature (37 articles) search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for studies published from 2010 to 2025. Findings consistently indicate that children from lower-income families and rural areas exhibit higher caries prevalence and severity, reflecting disparities in access to dental care, dietary patterns, and oral hygiene practices. Interventions targeting vulnerable populations, including community-based preventive programs and socioeconomic policy measures, are warranted to reduce oral health inequalities.