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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase use of the oral health care system — OH‑08 Data Methodology and Measurement

This objective is a Leading Health Indicator (LHI). Learn about LHIs.

On this page:  About the National Data  |  Methodology  |  History  |  References

About the National Data

Data

Data Source:  Medical Expenditure Panel (MEPS), AHRQ

Baseline: 43.2 percent of children, adolescents, and adults used the oral health care system in 2016

Target: 45.0 percent

Numerator
Number of persons aged 2 years and over who report having had a dental visit in the past 12 months.
Denominator
Number of persons aged 2 years and over.
Target-setting method
Minimal statistical significance
Target-setting method details
Minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline.
Target-setting method justification
The standard error was used to calculate a target based on minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline. This method was used because it was a statistically significant improvement from the baseline.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)

From the 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey:

Numerator:
What type of dental care provider did [PERSON] see during this visit?

[PROBE:] Any other type of dental care person? [CODE ALL THAT APPLY.]

  1. GENERAL DENTIST
  2. DENTAL HYGIENIST
  3. DENTAL TECHNICIAN
  4. DENTAL SURGEON
  5. ORTHODONTIST
  6. ENDODONTIST
  7. PERIODONTIST
  8. OTHER

What did [PERSON] have done during this visit?

[PROBE:] What else was done? [CODE ALL THAT APPLY.]

  • DIAGNOSTIC OR PREVENTATIVE
    • (1) GENERAL EXAM, CHECKUP OR CONSULTATION
    • (2) CLEANING, PROPHYLAXIS, OR POLISHING
    • (3) X-RAYS, RADIOGRAPHS, OR BITEWINGS
    • (4) FLUORIDE TREATMENT
    • (5) SEALANT (PLASTIC COATINGS ON BACK TEETH)
  • RESTORATIVE OR ENDODONTIC
    • (6) FILLINGS
    • (7) INLAYS
    • (8) CROWNS OR CAPS
    • (9) ROOT CANAL
  • PERIODONTIC (GUM TREATMENT)
    • (10) PERIODONTAL SCALING, ROOT PLANING, OR GUM SURGERY
    • (11) PERIODONTAL RECALL VISIT (PERIODIC OR REGULAR)
  • ORAL SURGERY
    • (12) EXTRACTION, TOOTH PULLED
    • (13) IMPLANTS
    • (14) ABSCESS OR INFECTION TREATMENT
    • (15) OTHER ORAL SURGERY
  • PROSTHETICS
    • (16) FIXED BRIDGES
    • (17) DENTURES OR REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES
    • (18) RELINING OR REPAIR OF BRIDGES OR DENTURES
  • ORTHODONTICS
    • (19) ORTHODONTIA, BRACES, OR RETAINERS
    • (20) BOND, WHITEN, OR BLEACH
    • (21) TREATMENT FOR TMD OR TMJ
    • (22) OTHER

Methodology notes

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data for oral health provide information on the nature of the dental visit. Subjects are interviewed on five different occasions over 15 months, so that they do not need to recall details of dental care received more than 3 months earlier. In addition, MEPS subjects are asked for specific information about care received at each visit. The measurement protocol described for Healthy People 2000 is still in use.

Age-adjustment notes

This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:

For MEPS data estimates - ages 2+ years:

  • Total: 2-17, 18-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74,75+
  • Sex: 2-17, 18-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74,75+
  • Race/Ethnicity: 2-17, 18-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74,75+
  • Educational Attainment: 25-34,35-44, 45-64, 75+
  • Family Income (percent poverty threshold): 2-17, 18-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74,75+
  • Health Insurance Status: 2-17, 18-44, 45-54, 55-64
  • Health Insurance Status: 65-74, 75+
  • Disability Status: 2-17, 18-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74,75+

History

Comparable HP2020 objective
Retained, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 with no change in measurement.

References

Additional resources about the objective