A representative sample of Hong Kong children aged 6-8 yr was examined for dental caries, and data on possible explanatory variables for dmft were obtained from questionnaires. Variation in dmft was partially accounted for by the effect of some demographic variables and other variables having a socioeconomic base. Girls had a lower dmft index than boys, and being born in Hong Kong rather than elsewhere (that is, China) was also associated with a lower dmft index. Better dental status was strongly associated with increasing educational level of the mother, monthly household income, and with an increasingly positive perception of the questionnaire respondent's own dental status. Preschool dental visits and enrollment in the School Dental Care Service were associated with higher dmft indices. Altogether, 22.5% of the variance in dmft was explained. It was concluded that: 1) demographic and socioeconomic factors significantly affect dmft variation in Hong Kong. 2) the mother's role in determining the dental status of her child is probably important, and 3) further elucidation of the variation in dmft will depend on the analysis of data pertaining to dietary and oral hygiene practices during the preschool years and to an analysis of tooth morphology, fluoride exposure, and microbiologic, salivary, and genetic factors.