Description

For sample adults who had seen a practitioner for massage during the past 12 months (MASYR) and had told a conventional medical professional about their use of massage (MASLCONVHP), MASLDENT indicates whether they had reported their use of massage to a dentist or dental specialist.

In both 2002 and 2007, interviewers asked, "During the past 12 months, did you let any of these conventional medical professionals know about your use of massage?" and handed the respondent a card listing several types of conventional health care practitioners. If the answer was affirmative (i.e., a "Yes" response in MASLCONVP), interviewers asked the follow-up question, "Which ones [did you tell]?" and noted, "You may choose more than one."

In both 2002 and 2007, the list of conventional medical professionals included, along with "dentist (including specialists)":

• Medical doctor (including specialists) (MASLMD)

• Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant (MASLNURS)

• Psychiatrist (MASLPSYCHI)

In 2007, the list included additional categories of conventional medical professionals:

• Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) (MASLDO)

• Psychologist/Social Worker (MASLPSYCHO)

• Pharmacist (MASLPHARM)

For more information about the full range of variables related to massage, including definitions, see MASYR.

Comparability

Only sample adults with a positive response in MASLCONVHP are included in the question universe for MASLDENT. For discussion of comparability issues for MASLCONVHP, see the documentation for that variable.

Universe

Availability

• 2002, 2007

Weights

• 2002, 2007 : SAMPWEIGHT