|
For the National Survey of Children’s Health,
parents were asked to rate the condition of their children’s
teeth as excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor. Overall,
the parents of 68.4 percent of children reported that their
children’s teeth were in excellent or very good condition.
The condition of children’s teeth varies
by a number of factors, including race and ethnicity. In
2003, 76.4 percent of non-Hispanic White children had teeth
that were in excellent or very good condition, as reported
by their parents, as did 69.9 percent of multiracial children.
The parents of non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children
were less likely to report that their children’s teeth were
in excellent or very good condition: 61.1 percent of non-Hispanic
Black children and only 46.7 percent of Hispanic children
had teeth that were in excellent or very good condition,
as did 67.2 percent of children of other races.
Parents who reported that their child’s
teeth were in fair or poor condition were asked to identify
the specific dental health issues experienced by their child.
More than half of children whose teeth were in fair or poor
condition (54.6 percent) were reported to have cavities.
Other commonly reported problems included crooked teeth,
or teeth that need braces (33.5 percent); broken front tooth
or teeth that need repair (11.8 percent); teeth problems
such as grinding, soft teeth, or teeth falling out (6.1
percent); and pain (4.6 percent).
>
Pie Chart: Condition of children's Teeth:
2003
> Bar
Chart: Children Whose Teeth Are in Excellent or
Very Good Condition, by Race/Ethnicity: 2003
|
