Preventive oral health care use and oral health status among US children: 2016 National Survey of Children's Health

Background: Research has identified significant gaps in preventive oral health care among certain subpopulations of US children. The authors of this study sought to estimate children's preventive oral health care use and oral health and investigate associations with child, family, and health care characteristics.

Methods: Data for this observational, cross-sectional study came from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health. Children aged 2 through 17 years were included (n = 46,100). Caregiver-reported measures were preventive dental visits, prophylaxis, toothbrushing or oral health care instructions, fluoride, sealants, fair or poor condition of the teeth, and problems with carious teeth or caries. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results: As reported by parents or caregivers, 8 in 10 children had a preventive dental visit in the past year but lower rates of specific services: 75% prophylaxis, 46% fluoride, 44% instructions, and 21% sealants. In addition, 12% had carious teeth or caries and 6% had fair or poor condition of the teeth. In adjusted analyses, young children (aged 2-5 years), children with no health insurance, and those from lower-income and lower-educated households had decreased likelihood of a preventive dental visit as well as specific preventive services. Children with preventive health care visits and a personal physician or nurse had increased likelihood of receiving preventive oral health care.

Conclusions: Preventive oral health services are lagging among young children and children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Further studies are needed to identify interventions that encourage use of specific preventive services.

Practical implications: Dentists should work with caregivers and primary care providers to promote preventive oral health care, especially among young children and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.