Oral Health Data
Dental cavities are largely preventable. However, tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases among children. Untreated tooth decay can cause problems with eating and speaking and can cause pain, which can disrupt learning and personal growth.
In 2017, we updated the 2015 Central Oregon Regional Health Assessment (RHA) with new data. This page provides an overview of updated data on oral health. Please read through the information below, or download the oral health overview handout from the supporting documents section at the bottom of the page.
You can find additional data related to oral health, as well as information on a variety of other health topics in the Regional Health Assessment Midpoint Update document.
Percent of Oregon Health Plan members who accessed dental care (Click for larger image)
The "Oral Health in Oregon's CCOs 2017 report" provides us with information about how people in our community who use the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) access and utilize dental care. Since the 2015 Regional Health Assessment was published, the percentage of OHP members in each of the three Central Oregon counties increased.
Percent of 11th graders who visited a dentist in the past year (Click for larger image)
The Oregon Healthy Teens survey, which is implemented in our community's schools, asks a series of questions about oral health that allow us to monitor the oral health of Central Oregon youth. Since the 2015 Regional Health Assessment was published, the percent of 11th graders who visited a dentist or dental hygienist in the past year decreased over time for all three Central Oregon Counties. In Central Oregon, Jefferson County had the lowest percentage of 11th graders who have visited a dentist.
The Oregon Healthy Teens survey also asks Central Oregon 11th graders about mouth injuries. In Deschutes County, around 15% of 11th graders reported that they were injured in the mouth while playing an organized sport, which is an increase from when the 2015 Regional Health Assessment was published.
Percent of 8th graders who have ever had a cavity (Click for larger image)
Results from the Oregon Healthy Teens survey indicate that around 70% of all 8th graders in Central Oregon have had a cavity. Around 75% of Crook County 8th graders have had a cavity, which is the highest percentage of the three Central Oregon counties.
