Oral Health Status

Since 1987, the Bureau of Oral Health Services (BOHS) has conducted statewide oral health surveys of schoolchildren in hundreds of public elementary schools in Ohio about every five years. Beginning in the 1999-2000 school year, a small sample of schools was chosen to participate in annual oral health surveys as well. These schools are referred to as “sentinel” schools, as the data gleaned enable BOHS to detect changes in the oral health status of Ohio schoolchildren over time. 

Each year since, BOHS has conducted a survey at sentinel schools, using the same methodology as that used for its statewide surveys.  Trend Data on the Oral Health of Ohio Schoolchildren presents findings from these surveys. 

In 2007, BOHS conducted a study to validate the methodology used to conduct the sentinel schools surveys. The study found that this approach to data collection provides reasonable statewide estimates of oral health of Ohio's children and are suitable for meeting the reporting requirements for the federal Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant.  An abstract of the study published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal is available.

Make Your Smile Count! The Oral Health of Ohio Schoolchildren, 2004-05 describes results of the last statewide oral health survey.  Information is presented on the prevalence of cavities, dental sealants and toothaches.  Indicators of access to care are also reported.  The next statewide survey is being conducted during the 2009-10 school year.

Profile of Oral Health in Ohio presents state-level information from the Ohio Oral Health Surveillance System. The profile includes demographic indicators, measures of oral health status and access to dental care and the number of dental care resources in Ohio, such as licensed dentists and safety net dental clinics. The surveillance system is updated annually. 

Access to Dental Care

The 2008 Ohio Family Health Survey measured access to health care (including dental care), health status, health care utilization, unmet health care needs, health insurance coverage, employment trends and health risk factors.  Preliminary findings indicate that dental care remains the largest unmet health care need for children, low-income adults (below 150 percent of the federal poverty level) and those who were Hispanic/Latino. 

Oral Health and Access to Dental Care for Ohioans, 2007 reports information from several statewide surveys of the oral health of Ohioans and their access to dental care.  The two-page executive summary has been updated to include the most current information.

The following publications present statewide findings on access to dental care for young children in Ohio:
Oral health status and access to dental care for Ohio Head Start children
Parent/caregiver, staff and dentist perspectives on access to dental care issues for Ohio Head Start children
Ohio dentists' treatment of young children 

Oral Cancer

Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer in Ohio, 1998-2002 presents data collected via the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System.  Age-adjusted incidence rates for oral and pharyngeal cancer are presented by county.  State-level data include age-adjusted incidence rates by gender, age and stage at diagnosis.

Tobacco Use

The Ohio Department of Health conducts the Ohio Youth Tobacco Survey every two years to determine tobacco use prevalence (including smokeless and other forms of tobacco), exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to pro- and anti-tobacco media messages, knowledge and beliefs about tobacco use and future intent to use tobacco products among Ohio's youth.  The most recent survey was conducted in 2008. 

Last Updated: 10/19/09

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