Description

For sample persons ages 18 and older, DENTDECAY records their opinion about the best method to prevent tooth decay. Respondents were instructed to select one answer from the following choices (shown on a flash card or read by the interviewer):

• 1. Limiting sugary snacks.

• 2. Using fluoridated water and dental products with fluoride.

• 3. Chewing sugarless gum.

• 4. Brushing and flossing teeth.

• 5. Visiting the dentist every 6 months.

DENTDECAY was first introduced in 1990 as part of the Dental Health Supplement, which contains a number of questions about dental health and dental care knowledge.

Related Variables
Variables on the importance of strategies to prevent teeth decay include:

• PDBRUSH indicates the importance given regular brushing and flossing.

• PDENTIST indicates the importance given regular dental visits.

• PDFLUORDR indicates the importance given fluoridated drinking water.

• PDFLUORTP indicates the importance given fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash.

• PDSWEETS indicates the importance given avoiding between-meal sweets.

Indicators of dental knowledge:

• GUMDISIGN records respondent knowledge about common signs of gum disease.

• FLUORIDEWHY indicates respondent knowledge about the purpose of adding fluoride to public drinking water.

• SEALANTKNOW indicates whether the person has heard of dental sealants.

• SEALANTKNOW indicates respondent knowledge about the purpose of dental sealants.

• TOOTHLAD indicates respondent knowledge about the main cause of tooth loss among adults.

• TOOTHLCH indicates respondent knowledge about the main cause of tooth loss among children.

See FLUORIDEWHY for indicators of oral hygiene practices.

For other related variables, please use the IPUMS NHIS search function or drop-down menus.

Comparability

There are no comparability issues.

Universe

Availability

• 1990

Weights

• 1990 : SAMPWEIGHT