QuickStats: Percentage of Children Aged 1–5 Years Who Had Never Been to a Dentist,* by Age and Year — National Health Interview Survey,† United States, 2006–2016

Weekly / March 2, 2018 / 67(8);261

The figure above is a line chart showing that during 2006–2016, the percentage of children aged 1–5 years who had never seen a dentist decreased as age increased. In 2016, 80.2% of children aged 1 year, 49.7% of children aged 2 years, 28.6% of children aged 3 years, 18.3% of children aged 4 years, and 6.8% of children aged 5 years had never seen a dentist. For all ages, the percentage of children who had never seen a dentist declined from 2006 to 2016.

* Based on a response of “never” to the question “About how long has it been since (sample child) 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 are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population and are derived from the National Health Interview Survey Sample Child component.

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During 2006–2016, the percentage of children aged 1–5 years who had never seen a dentist decreased as age increased. In 2016, 80.2% of children aged 1 year, 49.7% of children aged 2 years, 28.6% of children aged 3 years, 18.3% of children aged 4 years, and 6.8% of children aged 5 years had never seen a dentist. For all ages, the percentage of children who had never seen a dentist declined from 2006 to 2016.

Source: National Health Interview Survey, 2006–2016. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm.

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Reported by: Lindsey I. Black, MPH, lblack1@cdc.gov, 301-458-4548; Benjamin Zablotsky, PhD.

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Suggested citation for this article: QuickStats: Percentage of Children Aged 1–5 Years Who Had Never Been to a Dentist, by Age and Year — National Health Interview Survey,United States, 2006–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:261. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6708a8 .