Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Children (Ages 2 to 11 Years)

Dental Caries in the Primary (Baby) Teeth: Ages 2 to 5 Years

Overall, dental caries (tooth decay) prevalence in the primary teeth of U.S. children ages 2 to 5 years has declined since the early 1970s, except for the period from 1988–1994 to 1999–2004 when this age group had a slight but statistically significant increase in caries. Dental caries in the primary teeth of this age group decreased again between 1999–2004 and 2011–2016. Tables 1 through 3 present untreated caries in the primary teeth for children ages 2 to 5 years and for selected subgroups.

Units of Measure

Dental caries is measured by a dentist examining a child’s teeth and recording the ones with untreated decay (active cavities) and the ones with fillings. This examination provides three important numbers:

dt (decayed primary teeth): the number of decayed teeth that have not been treated, which measures unmet need for dental care
ft (filled primary teeth): the number of decayed teeth that have been treated, which indicates access to dental care
dft (decayed and filled primary teeth): the sum of dt and ft; it is the measure of a person’s total lifetime tooth decay (caries experience) in primary (baby) teeth

Definitions:

Prevalence of dental caries (caries experience): the proportion of children with one or more decayed or filled teeth (dft). Data are available through 2011‒2016.
Prevalence of untreated dental caries (unmet needs): the proportion of children with one or more decayed teeth (dt). Data are available through 2017‒March 2020.
Severity of dental caries: the mean number of decayed, filled, and decayed or filled primary teeth among children with at least one decayed, missing, or filled tooth. Data are available through 2017‒March 2020.

Prevalence of Caries: Ages 2 to 5 Years

Approximately 23% of children ages 2 to 5 years had dental caries in their primary teeth in 2011–2016.
There was a statistically significant decrease in overall dental caries prevalence between 1994–2004 and 2011–2016 as well as among population subgroups such as male, non-Hispanic White, and Mexican American children, and children living in families with low and high incomes.
In 2011–2016, caries prevalence was higher in:
- Children in low-income families (compared to high-income families)
- Non-Hispanic Black children and Mexican American children (compared to non-Hispanic White children)

Table 1. Percent of Children Ages 2 to 5 Years with Caries in the Primary Teeth

Prevalence of caries in the primary teeth (dft) among children ages 2 to 5 years, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004 and 2011–2016.
Characteristic	1999–2004		2011–2016
Characteristic		%	SE	%	SE
Total	27.9	1.29	23.3	1.38
Sex
Male (reference)	30.1	2.12	24.0	1.63
Female	25.8	1.50	22.4	1.86
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic (reference)	23.8	1.83	17.9	1.68
Black, non-Hispanic	31.6	2.24	28.0*	2.25
Mexican American	41.3	1.99	32.9*	2.26
Poverty status
High poverty	41.8	2.26	33.9*	1.65
Middle poverty	30.4	3.21	24.4*	2.24
Low poverty (reference)	17.8	1.53	15.7	1.82
Poverty status
High and middle poverty combined	36.2	2.09	29.6*	1.54
Low poverty (reference)	17.8	1.53	15.7	1.82

Data source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2019.
*Overall caries prevalence data are not available for the latest data collection (2017–March 2020)

Untreated Caries (Unmet Needs): Ages 2 to 5 Years

11% of children ages 2 to 5 years had untreated dental caries in their primary teeth in 2017–March 2020.
In 2017–March 2020, untreated caries prevalence was higher in:
- Children in low-income families (compared to high-income families)
- Mexican American children (compared to non-Hispanic White children)

Table 2. Percent of Children Ages 2 to 5 Years with Untreated Caries in the Primary Teeth

Prevalence of untreated decay (dt) in the primary teeth among children ages 2 to 5 years, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004 and 2011–2016, and 2017‒March 2020.
Characteristic	1999–2004		2011–2016		2017‒March 2020
	%	SE	%	SE	%	SE
Total	20.5	1.25	10.4	0.84	11.1	1.49
Sex
Male (reference)	21.2	1.89	11.1	1.10	12.0	2.18
Female	19.8	1.38	9.5	1.04	10.1	1.42
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic (reference)	16.9	1.62	6.7	0.90	8.1	2.20
Black, non-Hispanic	24.3	2.17	14.8*	1.90	8.7	1.71
Mexican American	30.8	1.67	15.1*	1.69	18.5*	2.71
Poverty status
High poverty	31.3	1.90	17.2*	1.67	18.0*	2.58
Middle poverty	23.1	2.99	9.9*	1.32	NR	NR
Low poverty (reference)	12.9	1.18	6.0	0.85	6.6	1.31
Poverty status
High and middle poverty combined	27.2	2.06	13.9*	1.14	15.2*	2.47
Low poverty (reference)	12.9	1.18	6.0	0.85	6.6	1.31

Data source: All estimates are adjusted by age (single years) to the U.S. 2000 standard population. Estimates are based on all U.S. race and ethnicity groups, except the estimates for specific race and ethnicity categories. NR = Not reported because the sample size is <30 or the standard error is >30% of the point estimate value. SE = standard error. Reference groups were used to test for statistical differences within sociodemographic characteristics.
* P <0.05 based on t-test for differences against the reference group.
^a Defined as the percentage of family income relative to the federal poverty level (FPL). High poverty = <100% FPL; middle poverty = 100%–199% FPL; high or middle poverty combined = <200% FPL; and low poverty = ≥200% FPL.

Note: The 2017–March 2020 NHANES data cycle was partially disrupted by COVID-19; data were released as a combined pre-pandemic dataset and may not be directly comparable to earlier continuous NHANES cycles.

Caries Severity: Ages 2 to 5 Years

Children ages 2 to 5 years had, on average, 4.4 decayed and filled teeth (dft), 1.8 decayed teeth (dt), and 2.6 filled teeth (ft) in 2017‒March 2020.
In 2017‒March 2020, the mean number of decayed and filled teeth was higher in:
- Children in low-income families (compared to high-income families)
- Mexican American children (compared to non-Hispanic White children)
In 2017‒March 2020, the mean number of filled teeth was higher in:
- Female children (compared to male)
- Mexican American children (compared to non-Hispanic White children)

Table 3. Primary Teeth, Severity of Decay Measured by Number of Teeth Affected for Children Ages 2 to 5 Years

Mean number of decayed, filled, and decayed or filled primary teeth among children ages 2 to 5 years with at least one dft, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004, 2011–2016, and 2017‒March 2020.
Characteristic	1999–2004						2011–2016						2017–March 2020
	dft		dt		ft		dft		dt		ft		dft		dt		ft
	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE
Total	4.1	0.21	2.6	0.20	1.4	0.15	4.3	0.16	1.6	0.11	2.8	0.15	4.4	0.18	1.8	0.28	2.6	0.4
Sex
Male (reference)	4.1	0.27	2.4	0.25	1.7	0.21	4.3	0.19	1.6	0.14	2.7	0.18	4.1	0.24	2.0	0.35	2.1	0.35
Female	4.1	0.21	2.9	0.21	1.2	0.16	4.5	0.26	1.5	0.15	3.0	0.27	4.8	0.32	1.6	0.25	3.2*	0.52
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic (reference)	4.1	0.36	2.6	0.31	1.5	0.26	4.7	0.42	1.7	0.25	2.9	0.39	3.6	0.36	2.1	0.35	1.5	0.22
Black, non-Hispanic	3.7	0.27	2.5	0.23	1.3	0.22	4.1	0.21	1.9	0.20	2.2	0.27	3.4	0.25	1.7	0.26	1.7	0.28
Mexican American	3.9	0.21	2.4	0.18	1.5	0.19	4.8	0.24	1.3	0.17	3.4	0.22	5.9*	0.39	2.0	0.54	3.9*	0.85
Poverty status
High poverty	4.9	0.29	3.0	0.25	1.8	0.24	4.4	0.21	1.5	0.15	2.9	0.23	4.8*	0.27	2.2	0.44	2.6	0.49
Middle poverty	4.3	0.31	3.0	0.34	1.3	0.24	4.1	0.26	1.7	0.17	2.5	0.26	4.6	0.67	NR	NR	2.9	0.82
Low poverty (reference)	3.1	0.30	1.8	0.28	1.2	0.20	4.4	0.52	1.5	0.28	2.9	0.46	3.7	0.33	1.6	0.23	2.1	0.42
Poverty status
High and middle poverty combined	4.6	0.24	3.0	0.22	1.6	0.22	4.3	0.16	1.6	0.13	2.7	0.18	4.7*	0.25	2.1	0.40	2.7	0.49
Low poverty (reference)	3.1	0.30	1.8	0.28	1.2	0.20	4.4	0.52	1.5	0.28	2.9	0.46	3.7	0.33	1.6	0.23	2.1	0.42

Dental Caries in Primary (Baby) Teeth: Ages 6 to 8 Years

Slightly more than half of children ages 6 to 8 years had caries, in both 1994‒2004 and 2011‒2016 NHANES surveys. Statistically significantly fewer children in this age group, however, had untreated caries, a decrease of 14 percentage points. Disparities remain, with children of some racial/ethnic groups and those from low-income families having higher prevalence of caries and untreated caries. Tables 4 through 6 present selected caries estimates in the primary teeth for children ages 6 to 8 years and for selected subgroups.

Prevalence of Caries: Ages 6 to 8 Years

Approximately 52% of children ages 6 to 8 years had dental caries in their primary teeth in 2011–2016.
In 2011‒2016, caries prevalence was higher in:
- Female children (compared to male)
- Non-Hispanic Black children and Mexican American children (compared to non-Hispanic White children)
- Children in low-income families (compared to high-income families)

Table 4. Percent of Children Ages 6 to 8 Years with Caries in the Primary Teeth

Prevalence of caries in the primary teeth (dft) among children ages 6 to 8 years, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004 and 2011–2016.
Characteristic	1999–2004		2011–2016
	%	SE	%	SE
Total	51.5	2.44	52.1	1.85
Sex
Male (reference)	54.2	2.81	55.4	2.37
Female	48.6	3.37	48.1*	2.54
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic (reference)	47.6	3.51	43.9	2.56
Black, non-Hispanic	53.4	2.14	53.8*	2.25
Mexican American	65.2	2.91	72.8*	2.52
Poverty status
High poverty	65.7	3.18	64.4*	2.64
Middle poverty	61.1	3.55	60.1*	2.56
Low poverty (reference)	39.4	3.50	40.4	2.46
Poverty status
High and middle poverty combined	62.9	2.48	62.3*	1.90
Low poverty (reference)	39.4	3.50	40.4	2.46

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2019.
*Overall caries prevalence data are not available for the latest data collection (2017‒March 2020)

Untreated Caries (Unmet Needs): Ages 6 to 8 Years

Approximately 17% of children ages 6 to 8 years had untreated dental caries in their primary teeth in 2017‒March 2020.
In 2017‒March 2020, untreated caries prevalence was higher in children in middle and low-income families (compared to high-income families).

Table 5. Percent of Children Ages 6 to 8 Years with Untreated Decay in the Primary Teeth

Prevalence of untreated decay (dt) in the primary teeth among children ages 6 to 8 years, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004, 2011–2016, and 2017‒March 2020.
Characteristic	1999–2004		2011–2016		2017‒March 2020
	%	SE	%	SE	%	SE
Total	27.8	2.02	16.4	1.26	17.7	2.2
Sex
Male (reference)	29.4	2.71	17.4	1.64	17.0	2.30
Female	26.2	2.85	15.2	1.44	18.4	2.90
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic (reference)	24.2	3.24	13.2	1.84	15.4	2.97
Black, non-Hispanic	34.8	2.14	22.4*	2.32	20.9	3.11
Mexican American	37.7	2.98	20.0*	2.49	19.3	5.44
Poverty status
High poverty	39.3	2.42	22.3*	2.26	24.6*	3.77
Middle poverty	35.2	4.15	20.9*	2.56	24.8*	3.56
Low poverty (reference)	17.5	2.12	11.1	1.39	11.6	3.21
Poverty status
High and middle poverty combined	36.9	2.27	21.6*	1.96	24.5*	2.18
Low poverty (reference)	17.5	2.12	11.1	1.39	11.6	3.21

Caries Severity: Ages 6 to 8 Years

Children ages 6 to 8 years had, on average, 4.1 decayed and filled teeth (dft), 0.9 decayed teeth (dt), and 3.2 filled teeth (ft) in 2017‒March 2020.
In 2017‒March 2020, the mean number of decayed and filled teeth was higher in Mexican American children (compared to non-Hispanic White children)

Table 6. Primary Teeth, Severity of Decay Measured by Number of Teeth Affected in Children Ages 6 to 8 Years

Mean number of decayed, filled, and decayed or filled primary teeth among children ages 6 to 8 years with at least one dft, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004, 2011–2016, and 2017‒March 2020.
Characteristic	1999–2004						2011–2016						2017–March 2020
	dft		dt		ft		dft		dt		ft		dft		dt		ft
	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE
Total	4.3	0.13	1.5	0.10	2.7	0.15	4.4	0.11	0.8	0.07	3.6	0.13	4.1	0.18	0.9	0.14	3.2	0.22
Sex
Male (reference)	4.2	0.17	1.5	0.15	2.7	0.18	4.3	0.14	0.8	0.09	3.5	0.16	4.2	0.22	0.9	0.14	3.3	0.26
Female	4.3	0.19	1.5	0.11	2.8	0.21	4.5	0.13	0.8	0.09	3.7	0.16	3.9	0.2	0.9	0.18	3.1	0.23
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic (reference)	4.2	0.22	1.4	0.17	2.8	0.25	4.2	0.16	0.8	0.14	3.4	0.17	3.5	0.22	0.7	0.13	2.7	0.21
Black, non-Hispanic	3.8	0.15	2.0	0.17	1.8	0.17	4.1	0.13	1.0	0.14	3.1	0.19	3.6	0.22	0.9	0.17	2.7	0.23
Mexican American	4.5	0.13	1.7	0.12	2.8	0.14	5.0*	0.25	0.7	0.11	4.3*	0.28	4.9*	0.38	0.7	0.20	4.2*	0.46
Poverty status
High poverty	5.0	0.29	1.9	0.20	3.1	0.31	4.5	0.16	0.9	0.10	3.6	0.18	4.0	0.3	1.0	0.16	3.0	0.35
Middle poverty	4.4	0.20	1.6	0.19	2.8	0.25	4.5	0.21	0.8	0.11	3.6	0.23	4.1	0.35	0.9	0.17	3.2	0.34
Low poverty (reference)	3.6	0.20	1.1	0.13	2.5	0.22	4.2	0.16	0.7	0.12	3.5	0.19	4.0	0.23	NR	NR	3.1	0.26
Poverty status
High and middle poverty combined	4.6	0.17	1.7	0.13	2.9	0.20	4.5	0.14	0.9	0.08	3.6	0.17	4.1	0.27	0.9	0.11	3.1	0.29
Low poverty (reference)	3.6	0.20	1.1	0.13	2.5	0.22	4.2	0.16	0.7	0.12	3.5	0.19	4.0	0.23	NR	NR	3.1	0.26

Dental Caries in Permanent (Adult) Teeth: Ages 6 to 11 Years

Dental caries in children’s permanent teeth declined between the 1970s and the 2011–2016 NHANES cycle. Yet, there are still significant disparities among some population groups. Tables 7–9 provide caries estimates in the permanent teeth of children ages 6 to 11 years, as well as by sex, racial and ethnic group, and family income.

Units of Measure: Dental caries is measured by a dentist examining a person’s teeth, and recording the ones with untreated decay, ones that are missing, and those with fillings. This examination provides four important numbers for individuals who have had at least one decayed, missing, or filled tooth:

DT (decayed teeth): the number of decayed teeth that have not been treated, which measures unmet need for dental care
FT (filled teeth): the number of decayed teeth that have been treated, which indicates access to dental care
MT (missing teeth): the number of missing teeth due to disease
DFT (decayed and filled teeth): the sum of DT and FT; it is the measure of a person’s total lifetime tooth decay (caries experience) in primary (baby) teeth
DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth): the sum of DT, MT, and FT; it is the measure of a person’s total lifetime tooth decay in permanent (adult) teeth

Prevalence of Caries: Ages 6 to 11 Years

Approximately 17% of children ages 6 to 11 years had dental caries in their permanent teeth in 2011–2016.
In 2011‒2016, caries prevalence was higher in:
- Children ages 9 to 11 years (compared to 6 to 8 years)
- Female children (compared to male)
- Non-Hispanic Black children and Mexican American children (compared to non-Hispanic White children)
- Children in low-income families (compared to high-income families)

Table 7. Percent of Children Ages 6 to 11 Years with Caries in the Permanent Teeth

Prevalence of caries in the permanent teeth (DFT) among children ages 6 to 11 years, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004 and 2011–2016.
Characteristic	1999–2004		2011–2016
	%	SE	%	SE
Total	21.2	0.93	17.4	0.94
Age (years)
6–8 (reference)	10.4	1.07	9.6	0.91
9–11	31.4	1.48	24.7*	1.32
Sex
Male (reference)	19.5	1.23	15.6	1.16
Female	22.9	1.31	19.0*	1.33
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic (reference)	18.8	1.44	13.4	1.14
Black, non-Hispanic	19.1	1.52	21.6*	1.64
Mexican American	30.8	1.99	24.5*	2.44
Poverty status
High poverty	28.4	2.28	24.6*	1.91
Middle poverty	24.1	2.14	19.3*	1.67
Low poverty (reference)	16.5	1.37	12.0	1.10
Poverty status
High and middle poverty combined	25.9	1.49	22.0*	1.34
Low poverty (reference)	16.5	1.37	12.0	1.10

Untreated Caries (Unmet Needs): Ages 6 to 11 Years

There was a statistically significant reduction in untreated decay in children ages 6 to 11 years between 1999–2004 and 2011-2016.
Approximately 2.6% of children in this age group had untreated decay in their permanent teeth in 2017‒March 2020.

Table 8. Percent of Children Ages 6 to 11 Years with Untreated Decay in the Permanent Teeth

Prevalence of untreated decay (DT) in the permanent teeth among children ages 6 to 11 years, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004, 2011–2016, and 2017‒March 2020.
Characteristic	1999–2004		2011–2016		2017–March 2020
	%	SE	%	SE	%	SE
Total	7.7	0.85	5.2	0.44	2.6	0.72
Age (years)
6–8 (reference)	4.1	0.73	2.7	0.43	NR	NR
9–11	11.1	1.33	7.6*	0.77	3.2	0.89
Sex
Male (reference)	7.5	1.02	4.9	0.53	1.8	0.46
Female	7.9	1.13	5.5	0.61	NR	NR
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic (reference)	5.6	1.17	4.3	0.63	NR	NR
Black, non-Hispanic	8.7	1.01	7.1*	0.81	3.0	0.66
Mexican American	12.7	1.07	7.5*	1.14	NR	NR
Poverty status
High poverty	11.8	1.74	8.1*	0.81	NR	NR
Middle poverty	11.9	1.95	5.6	1.06	NR	NR
Low poverty (reference)	3.6	0.66	3.5	0.54	NR	NR
Poverty status
High and middle poverty combined	11.9	1.38	6.9*	0.71	4.1	1.16
Low poverty (reference)	3.6	0.66	3.5	0.54	NR	NR

Caries Severity: Ages 6 to 11 Years

Children ages 6 to 11 years had, on average, 2 decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), 0.3 decayed teeth (DT), and 1.6 filled teeth (FT) in 2017‒March 2020.
In 2017‒March 2020, the mean number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth was higher in:
- Children in low-income families (compared to high-income families)
- Mexican American children (compared to non-Hispanic White children)
In 2017‒March 2020, the mean number of filled teeth was higher in children in low-income families (compared to high-income families)
In 2017‒March 2020, the mean number of decayed teeth was higher in female children (compared to male)

Table 9. Permanent Teeth, Severity of Decay Measured by Number of Teeth Affected in Children 6 to 11 Years

Mean number of decayed, filled, and decayed, missing, or filled permanent teeth among children ages 6 to 11 years with at least one DFT, by selected characteristics: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004, 2011–2016, and 2017‒March 2020.
Characteristic	1999–2004								2011–2016								2017–March 2020
	DMFT		DT		MT		FT		DMFT		DT		MT		FT		DMFT		DT		MT		FT
	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE	Mean	SE
Total	1.9	0.05	0.6	0.07	NR	NR	1.3	0.08	2.1	0.07	0.5	0.04	NR	NR	1.6	0.07	2.0	0.13	0.3	0.07	NR	NR	1.6	0.14
Age (years)
6–8 (reference)	1.7	0.09	0.6	0.11	NR	NR	1.1	0.11	1.7	0.08	0.4	0.06	NR	NR	1.2	0.09	1.9	0.24	NR	NR	NR	NR	1.4	0.21
9–11	2.2	0.06	0.6	0.06	NR	NR	1.6	0.10	2.5*	0.09	0.6*	0.06	NR	NR	1.9*	0.10	2.1	0.11	0.2	0.05	NR	NR	1.8	0.13
Sex
Male (reference)	1.9	0.09	0.6	0.09	NR	NR	1.3	0.10	2.2	0.11	0.5	0.05	NR	NR	1.6	0.10	1.9	0.11	0.2	0.04	NR	NR	1.7	0.12
Female	1.9	0.05	0.6	0.09	NR	NR	1.3	0.10	2.1	0.07	0.6	0.06	NR	NR	1.5	0.09	2.1	0.23	0.4*	0.12	NR	NR	1.6	0.19
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanic (reference)	1.8	0.08	0.4	0.09	NR	NR	1.4	0.12	2.1	0.10	0.6	0.06	NR	NR	1.5	0.10	1.7	0.17	NR	NR	NR	NR	1.5	0.14
Black, non-Hispanic	2.1	0.15	0.8	0.17	NR	NR	1.2	0.12	2.2	0.10	0.6	0.09	NR	NR	1.5	0.13	2.1	0.19	0.2	0.05	NR	NR	1.8	0.19
Mexican American	2.0	0.05	0.7	0.07	NR	NR	1.3	0.06	2.2	0.11	0.5	0.08	NR	NR	1.7	0.13	2.0*	0.12	NR	NR	NR	NR	1.8	0.16
Poverty status
High poverty	2.0	0.08	0.6	0.08	NR	NR	1.4	0.10	2.1	0.09	0.6	0.08	NR	NR	1.5	0.10	2.8*	0.33	NR	NR	NR	NR	1.7	0.18
Middle poverty	2.2	0.19	1.0	0.26	NR	NR	1.2	0.14	2.2	0.10	0.5	0.11	NR	NR	1.6	0.11	2.2*	0.18	NR	NR	NR	NR	1.9*	0.18
Low poverty (reference)	1.8	0.09	0.3	0.06	NR	NR	1.5	0.14	2.0	0.11	0.5	0.11	NR	NR	1.5	0.14	1.6	0.14	NR	NR	NR	NR	1.4	0.18
Poverty status
High and middle poverty combined	2.0	0.07	0.7	0.09	NR	NR	1.3	0.09	2.2	0.07	0.6	0.06	NR	NR	1.6	0.08	2.5*	0.18	NR	NR	NR	NR	1.8*	0.2
Low poverty (reference)	1.8	0.09	0.3	0.06	NR	NR	1.5	0.14	2.0	0.11	0.5	0.11	NR	NR	1.5	0.14	1.6	0.14	NR	NR	NR	NR	1.4	0.18

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance for certain health behaviors among states and selected local areas—Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2003. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2005;54(SS-3):1–116.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Trends in Dental Caries and Sealants, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2019.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health Surveillance Report: Dental Caries, Tooth Retention, and Edentulism, United States, 2017–March 2020. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2024.

Last Reviewed
June 2026