BACKGROUND: Tooth decay is common among children and adolescents and is preventable. Untreated tooth decay can lead to pain, swelling, infection, and tooth loss. In addition, poor oral health can impact self-esteem and physical appearance as well as basic daily activities like sleeping, talking, and eating. Nationally, about 58% of adolescents 12 to 19 years of age have experienced decay in permanent teeth. In addition, approximately 15% of adolescents have untreated decay in permanent teeth. Nationally, 43% of adolescents have at least one dental sealant on a permanent molar, which are an evidence-based practice used to prevent tooth decay.
METHODS: The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors Basic Screening Survey protocol was utilized to collect baseline data on the oral health status of Wisconsin ninth grade students. All public schools with at least 25 ninth grade students enrolled during the 2013-14 school year were included in the sampling frame, which was ordered by percent of students eligible for the Free or Reduced Price School Meals Program. Systematic sampling with implicit stratification was used to randomly select 20 schools. Data are available on 1,162 students from 10 schools. Results were weighted to account for the complex sampling design and non-response. Descriptive statistics were produced to estimate the proportion of ninth grade students experiencing each indicator. Chi-squared tests were used to determine statistically significant differences between groups.
RESULTS: More than half of ninth graders had caries experience (55%), defined as either treated or untreated decay in at least one tooth, while 17% had untreated decay in one or more teeth. Rampant decay, seven or more permanent teeth with treated or untreated decay, was found among 3% of students. About 64% of ninth grade students had at least one permanent molar sealant, while only 29% had five or more permanent molar sealants. Wisconsin has met the Healthy People 2020 objectives for untreated decay and dental sealants for this age group. However, significant disparities exist by race, ethnicity, and income. For example, nearly twice as many non-Hispanic Black students had untreated decay compared to non-Hispanic White students.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall Wisconsin ninth grade students have met two of the Healthy People 2020 objectives. However, significant levels of oral disease are present and many students do not have all of the dental sealants that they should have by this age. In addition, disparities exist that need to be targeted through public health programs and policies.