Table 9. Prevalence of untreated tooth decay in permanent teeth among adolescents aged 12–19 years

About

Prevalence of untreated tooth decay in permanent teetha among adolescents aged 12–19 years, by selected characteristics, United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017–March 2020.

2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report—Table 9

Oral Health Surveillance Report
Characteristic 2017–March 2020
%b SE
Total 10.4 1.05
Age (years)
  12–15 (reference) 8.6 1.21
  16–19 12.1* 1.48
Sex
  Male (reference) 11.7 1.47
  Female 9.0 0.99
Race and ethnicity
  White, non-Hispanic (reference) 11.7 2.02
  Black, non-Hispanic 12.9 2.57
  Mexican American 6.9* 1.22
Poverty statusc
  High poverty 14.1* 2.42
  Middle poverty 12.4 2.18
  Low poverty (reference) 8.2 1.37
Poverty statusc
  High and middle poverty combined 13.2* 1.47
  Low poverty (reference) 8.2 1.37

Note: All estimates are adjusted by age (single years) to the U.S. 2000 standard population. Estimates are based on all U.S. race and ethnicity groups, except the estimates for specific race and ethnicity categories. SE = standard error. Reference groups were used to test for statistical differences within sociodemographic characteristics.

* P <0.05 based on t-test for differences against the reference group.
a Defined as having one or more untreated decayed permanent teeth among adolescents with at least one permanent tooth.
b Weighted prevalence estimates.
c Defined as the percentage of family income relative to the federal poverty level (FPL). High poverty = <100% FPL; middle poverty = 100%–199% FPL; high or middle poverty combined = <200% FPL; and low poverty = ≥200% FPL.