Oral Health, U.S. 2002 Annual Report
Section 1: CARIES
| 1.1 |
Untreated dental caries prevalence among children (2–4 and 6–8 years old), adolescents (12–15 years old), and adults (35–44 years old) |
Results from NHANES III indicated that among children 16.3% of those aged 2–4 years and 28.5% of those aged 6–8 years had untreated dental caries while among adolescents 17.9% of those aged 12–15 years had untreated dental caries. Differences in untreated caries prevalence by race/ethnicity and poverty were greatest at the younger age groups and least among those aged 12–15 years. Mexican Americans experienced the highest prevalence of untreated decay among children and adolescents, but non-Hispanic blacks experienced the highest prevalence of untreated decay among adults. There were no gender differences in any age group. Persons of all ages living below the federal poverty level experienced a greater prevalence of untreated decay than those living above the federal poverty level. The percentage of the population with untreated caries was smaller among persons with higher educational levels.
In the following analyses untreated dental caries is assessed as a prevalence, individuals either had or did not have one or more decayed teeth at the time of the examination.
SOURCE OF DATA
The analyses reported here are based on the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Untreated caries prevalence differences by gender and age group (Figure 1.1.1)
- All age groups showed similar prevalences by gender.
- Among children and adolescents, those aged 6–8 years had the highest prevalence of untreated dental caries.
- Untreated caries prevalence differences by federal poverty level and race/ethnicity by age group (Figure 1.1.2)
- Among children and adolescents at or above the federal poverty level the prevalence of untreated decay was lower among non-Hispanic whites than other racial/ethnic groups. At ages 2–4 years and 6–8 years, among those at or above the federal poverty level, Mexican Americans had the highest prevalence of untreated decay. However, at ages 12–15 and 35–44 years non-Hispanic blacks had the highest prevalence of untreated decay.
- Among those living below the federal poverty level Mexican American children aged 2–4, 6–8, and 12–15 years showed the highest prevalences of untreated decay while adults aged 35–44 years displayed similar prevalences among the racial/ethnic groups.
- Untreated caries prevalence differences by education and age group (Figure 1.1.3)
- At all ages the highest prevalence of untreated decay was among persons whose head of household (or the individual if an adult) had less than 12 years of education and lowest among those with more than a 12th grade education.
Bullets reference data that can be found in Table 1.1.1.
Figure 1.1.1. Untreated caries prevalence by gender and age group
 [D]
Data source: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Figure 1.1.2A. Untreated caries prevalence by federal poverty level (FPL) and race/ethnicity by age group
 [D]
Data source: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Figure 1.1.2B. Untreated caries prevalence by federal poverty level (FPL) and race/ethnicity by age group
 [D]
Data source: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Figure 1.1.2C. Untreated caries prevalence by federal poverty level (FPL) and race/ethnicity by age group
 [D]
Data source: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Figure 1.1.2D. Untreated caries prevalence by federal poverty level (FPL) and race/ethnicity by age group
 [D]
Data source: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Figure 1.1.3. Untreated caries prevalence by education* and
age group
 [D]
*For children and adolescents education represents the educational attainment of the head of household. For adults education represents the educational attainment of the individual.
Data source: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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