Assessing preventive dental care in Urumqi: insights from a KAP survey of dentists regarding children's oral health

Background Dental caries pose a severe public health threat to Chinese children. According to the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey, the prevalence of dental caries is 71.9% among 5-year-olds (deciduous teeth) and 34.5% among 12-year-olds (permanent teeth), with a significant urban‒rural disparity. Effective preventive care is crucial to curb this trend, yet its integration into routine practice faces multifaceted barriers. In Urumqi, while previous research has highlighted gaps in emergency dental trauma management among nonprofessionals, the knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers of dentists—the key providers of preventive care—remain unexplored. This study aimed to assess these aspects among dentists in Urumqi, focusing on sociodemographic correlates and the impact of national Public Health Initiatives (PHI). Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among dentists practicing in Urumqi from Apr to Oct 2025. A structured questionnaire adapted from international knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys and refined for the local context was distributed via dental associations and professional networks. It assessed 1) sociodemographics, 2) knowledge of preventive care and dental trauma, 3) beliefs regarding professional roles, 4) self-reported preventive practices, and 5) perceived barriers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Results Of the 450 invited dentists, 332 valid responses were collected (response rate: 73.8%), with 1 incomplete questionnaire excluded—slightly below the calculated minimum sample size of 333. The sample was 63.5% female, with the largest age group being 31–45 years (42.2%). Only 58.1% were fully aware of the national "Children's Pit and Fissure Sealant Program." Knowledge scores were significantly higher among younger dentists (< 45 years) and those working in urban cores (p < 0.05). While 78.4% agreed that prevention is more important than treatment, only 45.3% reported "always" applying sealants when indicated. Key barriers included low parental awareness/acceptance (71.7%), low financial incentive (67.2%), and lack of time (59.1%). Dentists in suburban/rural areas reported significantly greater challenges in coordinating school-based PHI (p = 0.01). Formal training in prevention was the strongest predictor of both higher knowledge (OR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.8–5.2) and frequent preventive practice (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.6–4.7). Conclusions Significant gaps exist in the knowledge and practice of preventive care among dentists in Urumqi, influenced by age, practice location, and training. The urban-suburban/rural disparity in dentist preparedness mirrors the national trend of higher caries prevalence in rural child populations. Despite positive attitudes, substantial systemic and perceptual barriers hinder implementation. The findings underscore an urgent need for targeted continuing education, enhanced policy support for public health program implementation, and strategies tailored to urban-suburban disparities to optimize preventive oral healthcare for children and address the high caries burden identified in the national survey.