Table 5. Percentage of Children Aged 6–8 Years with Dental Caries in Primary Teeth

Oral Health Surveillance Report

Table 5. Prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth (dft ≥1)a among children aged 6–8 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
51.5
2.44
52.1
1.85
0.6
Sex
Malec
54.2
2.81
55.4
2.37
1.2
Female
48.6
3.37
48.1*
2.54
-0.5
Race and ethnicity
White, non-Hispanicc
47.6
3.51
43.9
2.56
-3.7
Black, non-Hispanic
53.4
2.14
53.8*
2.25
0.4
Mexican American
65.2
2.91
72.8*
2.52
7.6
Poverty status
<100%FPL
65.7
3.18
64.4*
2.64
-1.4
100%–199% FPL
61.1
3.55
60.1*
2.56
-1.0
≥200% FPLc
39.4
3.50
40.4
2.46
1.0
Poverty status
<200% FPL
62.9
2.48
62.3*
1.90
-0.7
≥200% FPLc
39.4
3.50
40.4
2.46
1.0

Note: All estimates are adjusted by age (single years) to U.S. 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 untreated decayed or filled primary teeth among children with at least one primary tooth.
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.