Children Who Have Dental Decay or Cavities

Percentage of children, age 0-20 years, who have had tooth decay or cavities during the measurement period

This Physician Performance Measure (Measure) and related data specifications are owned and stewarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS contracted (Contract HHSP23320095627WC; HHSP23337008T) with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) to develop this electronic measure. NCQA is not responsible for any use of the Measure. NCQA makes no representations, warranties, or endorsement about the quality of any organization or physician that uses or reports performance measures and NCQA has no liability to anyone who relies on such measures or specifications.

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Dental cavities have been identified as the most common chronic disease for children. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011-2012 showed that approximately 23% of children aged 2-5 years had dental caries in primary teeth. Untreated tooth decay in primary teeth among children aged 2-8 was twice as high for Hispanic and non-Hispanic black children compared with non-Hispanic white children. Among those aged 6-11, 27% of Hispanic children had any dental caries in permanent teeth compared with nearly 18% of non-Hispanic white and Asian children. About three in five adolescents aged 12-19 had experienced dental caries in permanent teeth, and 15% had untreated tooth decay.

Children who have dental decay or cavities are less likely to be in very good or excellent overall health than children without decay or cavities. Children with decay are also more likely to have other oral health problems such as toothaches, broken teeth, and bleeding gums.

A lower score indicates better quality

Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative. 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, Data Resource Center for Child Adolescent Health website. www.nschdata.org

Edelstein BL, Chinn CH. Update on disparities in oral health and access to dental care for America's children. Acad Pediatr.2009;9(6):415-419.

Milgrom P, Zero DT, Tanzer JM. An examination of the advances in science and technology of prevention of tooth decay in young children since the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health. Acad Pediatr. 2009;9(6):404-409.

Dye BA, Thornton-Evans G, Li X, Iafolla TJ. Dental caries and sealant prevalence in children and adolescents in the United States, 2011-2012. NCHS data brief, no 191. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015.

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TBD

Children, age 0-20 years, with a visit during the measurement period

Equals Initial Population

Exclude patients whose hospice care overlaps the measurement period

Children who had cavities or decayed teeth

Not applicable

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For every patient evaluated by this measure also identify payer, race, ethnicity and sex

Not applicable