MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly RepMMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. RepMMWRMMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report0149-21951545-861XU.S. Centers for Disease Control5779345273Quick StatsQuickStatsFROM THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS2832014283201463122732732014All material in the MMWR Series is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.Time Since Last Dental Visit* by Children Aged 2–17 Years, by Age Group — National Health Interview Survey,† United States, 2012
* Based on response to the question, “About how long has it been since [child’s name] last saw a dentist? Include all types of dentists, such as orthodontists, oral surgeons, and all other dental specialists, as well as dental hygienists.”
† Estimates were based on household interviews of a sample of the noninstitutionalized U.S. civilian population and are derived from the National Health Interview Survey sample child component.
§ 95% confidence interval.
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During 2012, approximately 69% of children aged 5–17 years had a dental visit in the past 6 months; among children aged 2–4 years, the percentage with a dental visit was 45%. Approximately 19% of those aged 5–17 years and 12% of those aged 2–4 years had a visit >6 months to ≤1 year before. Approximately 40% of those aged 2–4 years and 5% of those aged 5–17 years had not had a dental visit in >2 years or had never seen a dentist.
Source: Bloom B, Jones LI, Freeman G. Summary health statistics for U.S. children: National Health Interview Survey, 2012. Vital Health Stat 2013;10(258).
Reported by: Lindsey Jones, MPH, izf4@cdc.gov, 301-458-4548; Barbara Bloom, MPA; Gulnur Freeman, MPA.