OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of dental caries in children with cleft lip and Palate. METHODS A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 380 children with cleft lip and Palate and 339 children without cleft. Dental caries were measured with decayed-missing-filed-teeth index (DMFT/dmft) and the decayed-missing-filed-surface index (DMFS/dmfs). A questionnaire survey about the socio-economic conditions and lifestyles of the children's families was undertaken in the parents of the children. RESULTS (1) The children with cleft Palates had a higher prevalence of caries and greater DMFT(S) and dmft(s) scores than the children without cleft (P < 0.05), except for those of 3 to 5 years old. (2) For the children of 3 to 5 years old, those with cleft lip and palate had significantly more caries than those with only a cleft lip or a cleft lip and alveolus (P < 0.05). The children who had surgical repairs had lower dmft(s) than those who had not (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS (2) Chinese children with oral cleft have more dental caries than the children without cleft. (2) Children with cleft lip and palate have higher levels of dental caries than those with cleft lip alone. The children who had surgical repairs have less dental caries.