During 2006–2016, the percentage of children aged 1–5 years who had never seen a dentist decreased as age increased. In 2016, 80.2% of children aged 1 year, 49.7% of children aged 2 years, 28.6% of children aged 3 years, 18.3% of children aged 4 years, and 6.8% of children aged 5 years had never seen a dentist. For all ages, the percentage of children who had never seen a dentist declined from 2006 to 2016.
Source: National Health Interview Survey, 2006–2016. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm.
Footnotes
Based on a response of “never” to the question “About how long has it been since (sample child) last saw a dentist? Include all types of dentists, such as orthodontists, oral surgeons, and all other dental specialists, as well as dental hygienists.”
† Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population and are derived from the National Health Interview Survey Sample Child component.