Status: Target met or exceeded
Most Recent Data:
46.2
percent
(2018) *
Target:
45.0
percent
*
Desired Direction:
Increase desired
Baseline:
43.3
percent of children, adolescents, and adults used the oral health care system in 2016 *
* Age adjusted to the year 2000 standard population.
Increase the proportion of children, adolescents, and adults who use the oral health care system
Data Source: Medical Expenditure Panel (MEPS), AHRQ
Summary
Oral diseases cause pain and disability for millions of people in the United States, and some are linked to other diseases — like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Regular visits to the dentist can help prevent oral diseases and related problems, but most people haven’t been to the dentist in the last year. Strategies to make it easier for people to get dental care are critical for better oral health and overall health outcomes.
Topics: Health Care, Adolescents , Children, Health Care Access and Quality, Oral Conditions, Preventive Care
Workgroup: Oral Health Workgroup
