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PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Dental Disease: Untreated Decay in Children Aged 6-9

Why Is This Important?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/children_adults/child.htm (CDC)] says about 1 of 5 (20%) children aged 5 to 11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Gender is not a significant factor in decay however, race and percent of poverty level are significant factors. Untreated dental caries is an important indicator of adequate and timely access to dental care.

Percentage of 6- to 9-year-old Children With Untreated Dental Caries, Utah, 2000-2015

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Data Source

Utah Oral Health Survey, Utah Department of Health

Data Notes

It was planned to complete the next survey during the 2020-21 school year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was cancelled. The date of the next survey is uncertain and depends on multiple factors including the length of the pandemic and future funding for the survey.   2000 and 2005 data are for ages 6 to 8 years.

Risk Factors

Currently, only 52% of Utahns are drinking optimum fluoridated water. Other risk factors include eating habits, such as frequent snacking and pop consumption, not brushing/flossing regularly, and not visiting the dentist regularly.

How Are We Doing?

Of the first through fourth grade students screened in 2015, 4.4% of participants reported that their child needed dental care during the past 12 months but could not get it.

What Is Being Done?

Some Utah Department of Health activities addressing access to dental care include: * In 2012 the number enrolled for Medicaid dental benefits was 169,000 children from birth through 18 years of age. * In 2012 the number enrolled in Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was 36,000 children eligible for basic dental services. * The Utah Oral Health Initiative facilitates the formation of local oral health coalitions to improve access to dental care.

Healthy People Objective: Reduce the proportion of children aged 6 to 9 years with untreated dental decay in their primary and permanent teeth

U.S. Target: 25.9 percent

Date Indicator Content Last Updated: 10/26/2020


Other Views

The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS-PH web site (http://ibis.health.state.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Thu, 28 March 2024 10:58:24 from Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://ibis.health.state.gov ".

Content updated: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 12:02:23 MST