New York State Community Health Indicator Reports - About Oral Health
| Indicator/Contact for information | Data Source | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of children with caries experience, untreated caries, dental sealants, dental insurance, dental visit in last year, and taking fluoride tablets. In addition to the estimate for the 3rd grade population, rates were generated for both high and low socioeconomic strata (SES) children Contact: Jay Kumar , Bureau of Dental Health at (518) 474-1961 |
Bureau of Dental Health, Oral Health Survey of 3rd grade children a | Methods: The Oral Health Survey of 3rd Grade Children was conducted over the three-year period: 2002-04. A representative sample of schools was selected in each county. The sampling scheme was based on the concept of stratified random sampling of clusters. Counties and socioeconomic status of the school formed two levels of stratification. Samples were selected separately for New York City and Upstate counties. The New York State Education Department Profiles of Schools and New York City Board of Education enrollment records were used for constructing the sampling frame. In upstate counties, schools with 3rd grade children were categorized into two socioeconomic strata (SES) based on the percent of children in the free or reduced school lunch program. In New York City, 10 strata consisting of public and nonpublic school by 5 boroughs were constructed to draw the sample. After obtaining permission from the schools, parents were contacted for obtaining consent for participation in a dental screening. Consent forms, along with a questionnaire, were distributed in the classrooms. Parents were encouraged to complete the questionnaire and return the signed consent form even if they did not want the child to participate in the screening. A trained dental hygienist or a dentist conducted the screening in the school using a mirror, explorer and light source, with the patient seated in a comfortable chair. Only those children with written permission were screened.These screenings were in accordance with the guide Basic Screening Surveys: An Approach to Monitoring Community Health. Although NYC data was used in calculating the state totals, we do not yet have permission to provide NYC borough-level rates. |
| Caries Outpatient Visit Rate per 10,000 - Age 3-5 Years Contact: Jay Kumar , Bureau of Dental Health at (518) 474-1961 |
SPARCS Outpatient Data b NYSDOH Bureau of Biometrics and Health Statistics |
The number of outpatient visits due to dental caries in children ages 3 to 5 per 10,000 population in that age group. The ICD-9 codes used for caries are 521.0 and 522.4. Only visits with caries as the primary diagnosis are included. |
Data Notes:
a The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has entered into a collaborative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a surveillance system for monitoring oral health status, risk factors, workforce, and the use of dental services. To collect data on tooth decay ordental caries in children, DOH assisted each county in conducting a survey of 3rd grade children. The survey of 3rd grade children is designed for fulfilling many of the requirements of the National Oral Health Surveillance System (NOHSS). The objectives of this survey were to determine the following oral health indicators.
Indicators:
- Caries experience reflects history of tooth decay
- Indicates that opportunities for primary prevention may have been missed.
- Untreated Caries reflects the presence of a cavity
- Indicates that treatment has not been obtained in a timely manner.
- Dental Sealants
- Indicates presence of dental sealants is a reflection of use of preventive services. Sealants are plastic coatings appliedto decay-susceptible tooth surfaces (the pits and fissures) in 6 to 15 year-old children.
- Dental Visits in Last One Year
- Reflects the visit to a dentist or dental clinic at least once in the past year.
- Use of Fluoride Tablet
- Reflects the use of fluoride tablets or drops on a regular basis. Fluoride tablets or drops are prescribed to those children living in non-fluoridated areas.
- Dental Insurance
- Self reported coverage that pays for visits to a dentist or a dental clinic. Includes Medicaid and Child Health Plus coverage.
- b Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) Outpatient Data:
- Outpatient visit data are comprised of both Ambulatory Surgery and Emergency Department (ED) data. Ambulatory Surgery refers to treatments requiring anesthesia, in an operating room setting, with a stay typically lasting less than 24 hours. Patients visiting the ED and admitted to a hospital inpatient service will not appear in the outpatient database. Each outpatient visit receives an ICD-9 code which indicates the primary reason for the provision of service to the patient at the hospital or free-standing center.
