Objective To investigate the oral health status of preschool children in private kindergartens in Jiading District of Shanghai, and to analyze the relationship between dental caries and growth and nutrition. Methods From Apr. 2015 to Jun. 2016, 5 755 preschool children in private kindergartens in Jiading District of Shanghai were examined by oral examination according to the principle of informed consent. The height, weight, and hemoglobin level of the children were measured, and the effects of body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin level on dental caries were analyzed. Results The dental caries rate of preschool children was 50.67% (2 916/5 755) in private kindergartens in Jiading District of Shanghai. The prevalence of dental caries was significantly decreased with the increase of BMI (P<0.01). The decayed, missing and filled tooth (DMFT) of children with obesity or thinness was significantly higher than that of normal children (P<0.05). The prevalence of dental caries and DMFT of children with anemia (hemoglobin level<110 g/L) were significantly higher than those of the normal children (P<0.05). Conclusion Dental caries is closely associated with growth and nutrition of preschool children in Jiading District of Shanghai.