NIDCR/CDC
Dental, Oral and Craniofacial
Data Resource Center

Oral Health, U.S. 2002 Annual Report

Section 1: CARIES

Overall, the proportion of children with untreated dental caries in the primary and permanent dentition has declined since the 1970s for all age, gender, race, and poverty level subgroups although differences among these groups remain (Brown et al., 1999; Brown et al., 2000). There have been continuing reductions in dental caries in permanent teeth among children and adolescents over the past few decades, yet caries prevalence in the primary dentition may have stabilized or increased slightly in some population groups (Petersson & Bratthall 1996; Rozier, 1995). Trends are displayed separately for primary and permanent dentitions.

The prevalence of untreated caries in primary dentition decreased from 48.7% in the 1970s to 26.5% in the 1990s among children aged 6–8 years. The prevalence of untreated dental caries in permanent dentition also decreased from NHANES I (1971–1975) to NHANES III (1988–1994) for ages 6–8 years (21.0 % to 6.3%), 12–15 years (53.2% to 16.9%), and 35–44 years (40.3% to 26.1%).

SOURCES OF DATA
Analyses reported here are based on the First and Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES I: 1971–1975 and NHANES III: 1988–1994), National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Demographic differences in trends in untreated dental caries in primary dentition
• The prevalence of untreated dental caries in primary dentition has decreased since the 1970s among 6- to 8-year-olds. Among 2– to 4–year-olds, the change was negligible (Figure 1.3.1A).
• No gender differences were observed (Figure 1.3.1B).
• Among 6- to 8-year-olds, decreases were observed for all racial/ethnic groups. Among 2– to 4–year-olds, the decrease was only found among non-Hispanic whites (Figure 1.3.1C).
• Among 6– to 8–year-olds, the prevalence decreased for both federal poverty level groups. However, among 2– to 4–year-olds, there was an increase in prevalence for children living below the federal poverty level and a decrease for those living above the federal poverty level (Figure 1.3.1D).

• Demographic differences in trends in untreated dental caries in permanent dentition
• Prevalence of untreated dental caries decreased in all three age groups (Figure 1.3.2A).
• No differences were observed by gender (Figure 1.3.2B).
• Prevalence of untreated dental caries decreased in all age and racial/ethnic groups except non-Hispanic blacks 35-44 years old who had a negligible increase (Figure 1.3.2C).
• Prevalence of untreated dental caries decreased in all three age groups regardless of whether individuals were living below or at/above the federal poverty level (Figure 1.3.2D).

Bullets reference data that can be found in Table 1.3.1.

REFERENCES
Brown LJ, Wall TP, Lazar V. Trends in untreated caries in permanent teeth of children 6 to 18 years old. J Am Dent Assoc 1999;130(2):1637–44.

Brown LJ, Wall TP, Lazar V. Trends in untreated caries in primary teeth of children 2 to 10 years old. J Am Dent Assoc 2000;131(2):93–100.

Petersson HG, Bratthall D. The caries decline: a review of reviews. Eur J Oral Sci 1996;104:436–43.

Rozier RG. The impact of recent changes in the epidemiology of dental caries on guidelines for the use of dental sealants: epidemiologic perspectives. J Public Health Dent 1995;55(SI):292–301.

Figure 1.3.1A. Trends in primary dentition untreated dental caries prevalence by age group

[D]

Data sources: The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) 1971–1975, and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figure 1.3.1B. Trends in primary dentition untreated dental caries prevalence by age group and gender

[D]

Data sources: The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) 1971–1975, and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figure 1.3.1C. Trends in primary dentition untreated dental caries prevalence by age group and race/ethnicity

[D]

Data sources: The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) 1971–1975, and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figure 1.3.1D. Trends in primary dentition untreated dental caries prevalence by age group and federal poverty level (FPL)

[D]

Data sources: The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) 1971-1975, and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988-1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figure 1.3.2A. Trends in permanent dentition untreated dental caries prevalence by age group

[D]

Data sources: The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) 1971–1975, and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figure 1.3.2B. Trends in permanent dentition untreated dental caries prevalence by age group and gender

[D]

Data sources: The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) 1971–1975, and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figure 1.3.2C. Trends in permanent dentition untreated dental caries prevalence by age group and race/ethnicity

[D]

Data sources: The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) 1971–1975, and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figure 1.3.2D. Trends in permanent dentition untreated dental caries prevalence by age group and federal poverty level (FPL)

[D]

Data sources: The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) 1971–1975, and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988–1994, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institute of Dental And Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)	CDC Division of Oral Health
National Institutes of Health

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