NCHS Data Briefs

Data Brief, No. 307. Prevalence of Total and Untreated Dental Caries Among Youth: United States, 2015–2016

This data brief presents the prevalence of total and untreated caries in primary or permanent teeth among youth aged 2–19 years for 2015–2016, and trends from 2011–2012 through 2015–2016. For National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) period 2015–2016, the prevalence of total and untreated dental caries in primary or permanent teeth among youth aged 2–19 years was 43.1% and 13.0%, respectively. For both total and untreated caries, prevalence was lowest among those aged 2–5 years. The prevalence of total dental caries was highest for Hispanic youth compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups. The prevalence of untreated dental caries was highest for non-Hispanic black youth. The prevalence of total and untreated dental caries decreased as family income levels increased. Youth in families with incomes greater than 300% of the federal poverty level had the lowest prevalence of both untreated and total dental caries. The prevalence of total dental caries declined in youth during the 6 years from survey period 2011–2012 through 2015–2016. The prevalence of untreated dental caries increased from 2011–2012 through 2013–2014, and then declined for 2015–2016. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used for these analyses.

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