The 1999 Oral History Survey of American Indian and Alaska Native dental patients: children and adolescents.

The Indian Health Service Division of Oral Health periodically conducts oral health status surveys of dental patients for the purpose of monitoring disease and treatment and to assist in program planning. The third national IHS oral health survey was completed during FY 2000. Over 100 clinics, representing all of the 12 IHS Areas, participated. An age-stratified sample of children and adolescents made up the survey population. This report describes the findings pertaining to children ages 6 through 14 and adolescents ages 15 through 19. The results of the survey indicate that, regardless of age, oral disease is a significant health problem for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Dental decay starts in childhood and continues throughout life. Periodontal disease becomes evident during adolescence. To address these problems, significant steps must be taken to prevent and treat oral disease. Because disease prevalence, along with prevention and treatment strategies, are age specific, the report makes recommendations by life stages.