Table 22. Percentage of Adolescents Aged 12–19 Years with Dental Sealants On Permanent Teeth

Oral Health Surveillance Report

Table 22. Prevalence of dental sealants on permanent teetha among adolescents aged 12–19 years, by selected characteristics, United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004 and 2011–2016

Characteristic
1999-2004
2011-2016
Change %b
%
SE
%
SE
Total
37.6
1.47
48.1
1.61
10.4*
Age (years)
12-15c
41.0
1.83
51.7
1.91
10.6*
16-19
34.3
1.70
44.5*
1.92
10.2*
Sex
Malec
36.4
1.65
46.8
1.93
10.4*
Female
38.9
1.51
49.1
2.12
10.2*
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanicc
44.3
1.77
53.2
2.17
8.9*
Black, non-Hispanic
25.1
1.99
37.2*
2.62
12.1*
Mexican American
27.2
2.34
45.0*
2.80
17.8*
Poverty status
<100%FPL
28.8
2.37
42.7*
2.11
13.9*
100%–199% FPL
30.6
2.04
48.4
2.50
17.8*
≥200% FPLc
45.4
1.84
51.1
2.35
5.7
Poverty status
<200% FPL
29.8
1.86
45.6
1.80
15.8*
≥200% FPLc
45.4
1.84
51.1
2.35
5.7

Note: All estimates are adjusted by age (single years) to the US 2000 standard population. SE = standard error. FPL = federal poverty level; <100% FPL = poor; 100%–199% FPL = near-poor; <200% FPL = poor and near-poor combined; and ≥200% FPL = not-poor.

*P <0.05 based on t-test for differences between two periods or two groups within each characteristic.

Defined as having one or more permanent teeth with pit and fissure sealants among adolescents with at least one permanent tooth present and eligible for sealants, including permanent molars, premolars, or upper lateral incisors.
Change in percentage points from 1999–2004 to 2011–2016. Positive value=increase and negative value=decrease.
c Reference group for comparisons within each characteristic, 2011–2016.

Suggested Citation: 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, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2019.