Untreated Cavities in Older Adults

Some older adults were more than twice as likely to have untreated tooth decay. About 1 in 3 adults aged 65 or older who were Mexican American, non-Hispanic black, low-income, had less than a high school education, or were currently smoking cigarettes had untreated tooth decay. This is two to three times the amount of untreated decay as comparison groups.

Chart: Percentage of adults aged 65 or older with untreated tooth decay, 2011–2016

• Mexican-American: 36%
• non-Hispanic black: 29%
• non-Hispanic white*: 13%
• low-income: 33%
• higher-income*: 9%
• less than HS education: 31%
• more than HS education*: 12%
• currently smoking cigarettes: 34%
• never smoked cigarettes*: 14%

* comparison groups