Arizona Dental Stats from AZDHS

Almost 39% of Arizona's third grade children have untreated tooth decay.

Almost 9% of Arizona's children in kindergarten to third grade have urgent dental care needs.

While 31% of Arizona's eight year-old children have at least one sealant, 81% need initial or additional sealants.

Only 57% of Arizona's children in kindergarten through third grade visited the dentist in the last year.

Oral health status varies among children with different types of dental insurance, and among children with and without dental insurance.

Arizona has substantial disparities in oral health. Low-income children, Hispanic children, and children of racial minority have more dental treatment needs.


How to Improve these results.

Expand access to community water fluoridation. ‹

Increase availability of dental insurance to all high-risk children and adults. ‹

Increase the number of people with dental insurance who use their annual dental benefits for themselves and their children. ‹

Promote annual dental visits as a minimum standard of dental care, particularly for high-risk children by one year of age. ‹

Expand comprehensive evidence-based dental disease prevention strategies to include all pregnant women, infants and toddlers. ‹

Increase the number of dentists participating in the Arizona Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). ‹

Increase the number of dental providers practicing in underserved areas. ‹

Educate medical care providers about the relationship of oral health and general health. ‹

Expand the State's dental public health infrastructure.