Abstract: Objective To evaluate the patterns of oral health service utilization and to determine the related factors among 3- to 5-year-old children and 12- to 15-year-old students in Jiangsu Province. Methods The sampling process was conducted with a multistage stratified equal capacity method. A total of 1337 children and 3914 students were recruited. Oral health examinations and questionnaire investigations were carried out to evaluate the needs and utilization of oral health service. Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, multivariate logistic regression were used to identify the variables associated with oral health service utilization based on the past 12-month clinical situation. Results Caries prevalence rates of 3- to 5-year-old children and 12- to 15-year-old students in Jiangsu Province were 59.69% and 34.98%. And 98.12% and 82.47% of the caries were unfilled. Among them, 89.68% of 12- to 15-year-old students had periodontal problems, 13.76% children and 25.29% students had utilized oral health services in the past 12 months. Main reason for care-seeking was receiving dental treatment (3- to 5-year-old 49.73%, 12- to 15-year-old 45.15%). The main reason for not utilizing oral health services in the past 12 months in 3- to 5-year-old children was that parents thought their children had no dental problems, or no serious dental problems, and there was no need to care for primary teeth. Oral health status, oral hygiene behavior and parents’ educational attainment affected the utilization of oral health services. Conclusion The need for dental care is heavy, while utilization of dental service is relatively low. Oral health education in kindergartens and schools should be strengthened to improve the utilization of dental services.

Key words: oral health service utilization, related factors, 3- to 5-year-old children, 12- to 15-year-old, Jiangsu Province