CDC/NIDCR Just Released New Data on the Prevalence of Caries in the United States

CDC/NIDCR Just Released New Data on the Prevalence of Caries in the United States

March 5, 2015 – Dimensions of Dental Hygiene participated in a webinar on new data on the prevalence of dental caries in the United States this morning. The good news? The percentage of preschool-aged children with untreated tooth decay (10%) is the lowest it’s been in 25 years. But the battle against dental caries is far from over. Some other key statistics from the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2012, include:

• Approximately 23% of children aged 2–5 had dental caries in primary teeth.
• Untreated tooth decay in primary teeth among children aged 2–8 was twice as high for Hispanic and non-Hispanic black children compared with non-Hispanic white children.
• Among those aged 6–11, 27% of Hispanic children had any dental caries in permanent teeth compared with nearly 18% of non-Hispanic white and Asian children.
• About three in five adolescents aged 12–19 had experienced dental caries in permanent teeth, and 15% had untreated tooth decay.
• Dental sealants were more prevalent for non-Hispanic white children (44%) compared with non-Hispanic black and Asian children (31% each) aged 6–11.

To read the report in its entirety, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db191.htm

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