Almost 90% of children in Washington state are receiving dental care for cavities, according to the results of a new survey.
The Smile Survey measures the oral health of preschoolers and elementary schoolchildren from low-income households and among all racial and ethnic groups in Washington. The results from the 2015-2016 survey were compared with results from a similar survey conducted in 2005.
The survey found the following:
- The percentage of third-graders who had ever had a cavity dropped to 53% compared with 60% in 2005.
- The percentage of third-graders with decay in permanent teeth also reduced to 13%, compared with 24% in 2005.
- Untreated decay among low-income preschool children (17%) was significantly below the national average (25%).
The survey is conducted every five years by the Washington State Department of Health. The full results from the survey are available on the department's website.
