Increase use of the oral health care system — OH‑08 Data Methodology and Measurement

This objective is a Leading Health Indicator (LHI). Learn about LHIs.

About the National Data

Data

Baseline: 43.3 percent of children, adolescents, and adults used the oral health care system in 2016

Target: 45.0 percent

Numerator
Number of persons aged 2 years and over who report having had a dental visit in the past 12 months.
Denominator
Number of persons aged 2 years and over.
Target-setting method
Minimal statistical significance
Target-setting method details
Minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline.
Target-setting method justification
The standard error was used to calculate a target based on minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline. This method was used because it was a statistically significant improvement from the baseline.

Methodology

Methodology notes

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data for oral health provide information on the nature of the dental visit. Subjects are interviewed on five different occasions over 15 months, so that they do not need to recall details of dental care received more than 3 months earlier. In addition, MEPS subjects are asked for specific information about care received at each visit. The measurement protocol described for Healthy People 2000 is still in use.

History

Comparable HP2020 objective
Retained, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 with no change in measurement.

References

Additional resources about the objective

Vargas C, Schober S, Gift H. Operational Definitions for Year 2000 Objectives: Priority Area 13, Oral Health. Healthy People 2000 Stat Notes. 1997;(12):1-17.. (PHS) 97-1237