Caries Experience

Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors Seal

This system was developed with the collaboration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD).

Caries Experience
Percentage of 3rd Grade students with Caries Experience (treated or untreated tooth decay)

Overview by State

Sort list by: State Percent with Caries Experience

State

School Year

Percent with Caries Experience¹

Response
Rate²(%)

Percent eligible for free and reduced-cost lunch program³

Sample

State

Schools⁴

Students⁵

Arkansas

2001–2002

%	72.2
CI	(68.9–75.5)
N	815

Delaware

2001–2002

%	56.4
CI	(52.6–60.3)
N	1032

Maine

1998–1999

%	44.7
CI	(42.0–47.4)
N	1297

New Hampshire

2000–2001

%	52.0
CI	(45.5–58.4)
N	410

New Mexico

1999–2000

%	64.6
CI	(59.5–69.7)
N	2136

Utah

2000–2001

%	61.0
CI	(59.0–64.0)
N	800

Vermont

2002–2003

%	44.3
CI	(39.4–49.2)
N	409

Washington

1999–2000

%	57.5
CI	(54.7–60.3)
N	1217

Wisconsin

2001–2002

%	60.1
CI	(58.4–61.8)
N	3307

%	Percentage
CI	95% Confidence Interval
N	Number of students in sample
NR	Not Reported
1	The percent with untreated tooth decay shown on this page has not been adjusted for nonresponse.
2	Survey response rates differ among states. Differential nonresponse can bias the estimates. Response rates, the percent of selected children who actually participated, are presented to help the reader judge the potential for bias.
3	Untreated tooth decay may be associated with income. Eligibility for the free and reduced-cost lunch program is presented to help the reader assess whether the survey sample is representative of all 3rd graders in the state.
4	The percent eligible for the free and reduced-cost lunch program among students attending schools that participated in the survey.
5	The percent eligible for the free and reduced-cost lunch program among students who participated in the survey.