Untreated Cavities in Adults

Some adults were twice as likely to have untreated tooth decay. Nearly half of adults aged 20-64 years who were: non-Hispanic black, low-income, had less than a high school education, or currently smoking cigarettes had untreated tooth decay. This is two times the amount of untreated decay as the comparison groups.

Percentage of adults aged 20–64 with untreated tooth decay, 2011–2016

• non-Hispanic black: 40%
• non-Hispanic white*: 22%
• low-income: 45%
• higher-income*: 18%
• less than HS education: 46%
• more than HS education*: 18%
• currently smoking cigarettes: 44%
• never smoked cigarettes*: 20%

* comparison groups