Spokane Counts 2011 - Dental Decay (Children)

Dental Decay (Children)

Health Status

Indicator: Dental Decay (Children)

Definition: Percent of third grade students who have had a cavity in a primary or permanent tooth.

Why is this important: Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases among U.S. children. Tooth decay may be preventable through proper oral health care.

Where are we: In 2010 in Spokane County, 57% of third grade children had experienced dental decay. The proportion of children having had a cavity was stable from 2005 to 2010. Spokane County has a proportion of children with dental decay similar to that of Washington State.

Health Disparities:

Among Spokane County children in 2010:

Lower income children were more likely to have experienced dental decay.
Non-White or Hispanic children were more likely to have experienced dental decay.

(click to enlarge)

	Data Source	Smile Survey, 2010

Geography	Spokane County	57.2% (54.1-60.1)
	WA	57.9% (54.0-61.7)

	Trend	05-10 No Trend

Race	White Non-Hispanic	55.0% (51.7-58.2)
	Non-White or Hispanic	68.2% (61.2-75.1)

Income	Eligible for FRL	68.2% (64.4-72.0)
	Not Eligible for FRL	44.5% (40.0-48.9)

FRL = Free or Reduced Fee Lunch
Used as a proxy for family income.

Data Source: Washington State Department of Health, Smile Survey

Spokane Regional Health District · Community Health Assessment · 1101 W College Ave, Room 360, Spokane, WA 99201
509.323.2853 | FAX 509.232.1706 | TDD 509.324.1464 · www.srhd.org/spokanecounts