National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

2011-2012 Data Documentation, Codebook, and Frequencies

Oral Health (OHQ_G)

Data File: OHQ_G.xpt

First Published: March 2014

Last Revised: NA

Component Description

The oral health questionnaire section (variable name prefix OHQ) provides personal interview data on oral health topics. These topic areas and related target population groups in the OHQ section include:

Last visit to dentist or lack dental care (1+ yr)
Direct conversation with dental professional about your dental health (16+ yr)
Dental health perception (1+ yr)
Oral cancer exam (30+ yr)
Use of dental floss or dental rinse product (30+ yr)
Periodontal disease self-report (30+ yr)

Eligible Sample

All survey participants aged 1 year and older were eligible for the dental health perception and quality of life related questions.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

The Oral Health questionnaire was done before the physical examination, in the home, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing-CAPI (interviewer administered) system.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Several types of quality control were implemented to ensure that high quality data were collected during the survey.

Interviewer monitoring was a major responsibility for NCHS and contractor staff. Interviewers were frequently accompanied on interviews and observed to verify that the interview protocol was administered correctly. Interviewers were retrained on survey procedures if necessary.

The interviewers are encouraged to provide comments and other suggestions, based on their field experiences. NCHS has used field staff and interviewer feedback to improve the questionnaires and survey materials. NCHS and contractor staff conduct annual staff debriefing and training sessions jointly. Interviewers are trained on new survey content and protocol changes prior to implementation in the field.

The CAPI system is programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. CAPI also uses online help screens to assist interviewers in defining key terms used in the questionnaire.

Data Processing and Editing

Frequency counts were checked, "skip" patterns were verified, and the reasonableness of responses to the questions was reviewed.

Analytic Notes

In addition to the oral health questionnaire data, oral health examination data can be found in the oral health section of the NHANES Exam Files (OHX). These data may be linked using the unique survey participant identifier, SEQN. Please refer to the Oral Health Examination support documentation for additional information related to the oral component and oral health questions administered at the time of the oral health examination.

The check items (OHQ605, OHQ616, OHQ847 and OHQ890) are contained in the codebook as a guide to the user on how the skip patterns within the oral health questions work. Because there are no frequencies for these items they aren’t in the data file.

Although these data were collected as part of the household questionnaire, if they are merged with the MEC exam data, exam sample weights should be used for the analyses.

Please refer to the Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial on the NHANES website for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:: SEQN
SAS Label:: Respondent sequence number
English Text:: Respondent sequence number.
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

OHQ030 - When did you last visit a dentist

Variable Name:: OHQ030
SAS Label:: When did you last visit a dentist
English Text:: The next questions are about {your/SP's} teeth and gums. About how long has it been since {you/SP} last visited a dentist? Include all types of dentists, such as, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and all other dental specialists, as well as dental hygienists.
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	6 months or less	4219	4219
2	More than 6 months, but not more than 1 year ago	1494	5713
3	More than 1 year, but not more than 2 years ago	1050	6763
4	More than 2 years, but not more than 3 years ago	507	7270
5	More than 3 years, but not more than 5 years ago	483	7753
6	More than 5 years ago	903	8656
7	Never have been	684	9340	OHQ605
77	Refused	1	9341
99	Don't know	22	9363
.	Missing	1	9364

OHQ033 - Main reason for last dental visit

Variable Name:: OHQ033
SAS Label:: Main reason for last dental visit
English Text:: What was the main reason {you/SP} last visited the dentist?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Went in on own for check-up, examination, or cleaning	5404	5404
2	Was called in by the dentist for check-up, examination, or cleaning	221	5625
3	Something was wrong, bothering or hurting {me/SP}	1608	7233
4	Went for treatment of a condition that dentist discovered at earlier checkup or examination	1192	8425
5	Other	220	8645
7	Refused	1	8646
9	Don't know	33	8679
.	Missing	685	9364

OHQ770 - Past yr need dental but couldn't get it

Variable Name:: OHQ770
SAS Label:: Past yr need dental but couldn't get it
English Text:: During the past 12 months was there a time when (you/SP) needed dental care but could not get it at that time?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Yes	1404	1404
2	No	7272	8676	OHQ605
7	Refused	1	8677	OHQ605
9	Don't know	2	8679	OHQ605
.	Missing	685	9364

OHQ780A - Could not afford the cost

Variable Name:: OHQ780A
SAS Label:: Could not afford the cost
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
English Instructions:: CODE ALL THAT APPLY HAND CARD OHQ1
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
10	Could not afford the cost	1089	1089
77	Refused	0	1089
99	Don't know	0	1089
.	Missing	8275	9364

OHQ780B - Did not want to spend the money

Variable Name:: OHQ780B
SAS Label:: Did not want to spend the money
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
11	Did not want to spend the money	71	71
.	Missing	9293	9364

OHQ780C - Insurance did not cover procedures

Variable Name:: OHQ780C
SAS Label:: Insurance did not cover procedures
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
12	Insurance did not cover recommended procedure	239	239
.	Missing	9125	9364

OHQ780D - Dental office is too far away

Variable Name:: OHQ780D
SAS Label:: Dental office is too far away
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
13	Dental office is too far away	27	27
.	Missing	9337	9364

OHQ780E - Office not open at convenient time

Variable Name:: OHQ780E
SAS Label:: Office not open at convenient time
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
14	Dental office not open at convenient time	38	38
.	Missing	9326	9364

OHQ780F - Another dentist recommended not doing it

Variable Name:: OHQ780F
SAS Label:: Another dentist recommended not doing it
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
15	Another dentist recommended not doing it	0	0
.	Missing	9364	9364

OHQ780G - Afraid or do not like dentists

Variable Name:: OHQ780G
SAS Label:: Afraid or do not like dentists
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
16	Afraid or do not like dentists	74	74
.	Missing	9290	9364

OHQ780H - Unable to take time off from work

Variable Name:: OHQ780H
SAS Label:: Unable to take time off from work
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
17	Unable to take time off from work	59	59
.	Missing	9305	9364

OHQ780I - Too busy

Variable Name:: OHQ780I
SAS Label:: Too busy
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
18	Too busy	55	55
.	Missing	9309	9364

OHQ780J - Expected dental problems to go away

Variable Name:: OHQ780J
SAS Label:: Expected dental problems to go away
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
19	I did not think anything serious was wrong - expected dental problems to go away	31	31
.	Missing	9333	9364

OHQ780K - Other

Variable Name:: OHQ780K
SAS Label:: Other
English Text:: What were the reasons that (you/SP) could not get the dental care (you/she/he) needed?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
20	Other	117	117
.	Missing	9247	9364

OHQ605 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:: OHQ605
English Instructions:: BOX 1. CHECK ITEM SMQ.605: IF SP AGE 1-15, GO TO OHQ.845. ELSE IF SP AGE 16+ and OHQ.030 = 1 or 2, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO BOX OHQ.616.
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

OHQ610 - Told benefits of giving up cigarettes

Variable Name:: OHQ610
SAS Label:: Told benefits of giving up cigarettes
English Text:: In the past 12 months, did a dentist, hygienist or other dental professional have a direct conversation with {you/SP} about... ...the benefits of giving up cigarettes or other types of tobacco to improve {your/SP's} dental health?
Target:: Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	383	383
2	No	3028	3411
7	Refused	0	3411
9	Don't know	5	3416
.	Missing	5948	9364

OHQ612 - Told benefits of checking blood sugar

Variable Name:: OHQ612
SAS Label:: Told benefits of checking blood sugar
English Text:: (In the past 12 months, did a dentist, hygienist or other dental professional have a direct conversation with {you/SP} about...) ... the dental health benefits of checking {your/his/her} blood sugar?
Target:: Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	228	228
2	No	3182	3410
7	Refused	0	3410
9	Don't know	6	3416
.	Missing	5948	9364

OHQ614 - Told importance of checking for cancer

Variable Name:: OHQ614
SAS Label:: Told importance of checking for cancer
English Text:: (In the past 12 months, did a dentist, hygienist or other dental professional have a direct conversation with {you/SP} about...) ...the importance of examining {your/his/her} mouth for oral cancer?
Target:: Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	673	673
2	No	2732	3405
7	Refused	0	3405
9	Don't know	11	3416
.	Missing	5948	9364

OHQ616 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:: OHQ616
English Instructions:: BOX 2. CHECK ITEM SMQ.616: IF SP AGE 16-29, GO TO OHQ.845. IF SP AGE 30+, CONTINUE.
Target:: Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

OHQ620 - How often last yr had aching in mouth?

Variable Name:: OHQ620
SAS Label:: How often last yr had aching in mouth?
English Text:: How often during the last year (have you/ has SP) had painful aching anywhere in (your/his/her) mouth? Would you say....
English Instructions:: HAND CARD OHQ2
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Very often	152	152
2	Fairly often	199	351
3	Occasionally	650	1001
4	Hardly ever, or	820	1821
5	Never?	2741	4562
7	Refused	1	4563
9	Don't know	2	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ640 - Last yr had diff w/ job because of mouth

Variable Name:: OHQ640
SAS Label:: Last yr had diff w/ job because of mouth
English Text:: How often during the last year {have you/has SP} had difficulty doing {your/his/her} usual jobs or attending school because of problems with {your/his/her} teeth, mouth or dentures? Would you say . . .
English Instructions:: HAND CARD OHQ2
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Very often	50	50
2	Fairly often	65	115
3	Occasionally	110	225
4	Hardly ever, or	232	457
5	Never?	4105	4562
7	Refused	1	4563
9	Don't know	2	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ680 - Last yr embarrassed because of mouth

Variable Name:: OHQ680
SAS Label:: Last yr embarrassed because of mouth
English Text:: How often during the last year {have you/has SP} been self-conscious or embarrassed because of {your/his/her} teeth, mouth or dentures? Would you say . ..
English Instructions:: HAND CARD OHQ2
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Very often	230	230
2	Fairly often	142	372
3	Occasionally	284	656
4	Hardly ever, or	239	895
5	Never?	3667	4562
7	Refused	1	4563
9	Don't know	2	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ835 - Do you think you might have gum disease?

Variable Name:: OHQ835
SAS Label:: Do you think you might have gum disease?
English Text:: The next questions will ask about the condition of {your/SP's} teeth and some factors related to gum health. Gum disease is a common problem with the mouth. People with gum disease might have swollen gums, receding gums, sore or infected gums or loose teeth. {Do you/Does SP} think {you/s/he} might have gum disease?
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	855	855
2	No	3626	4481
7	Refused	1	4482
9	Don't know	83	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ845 - Rate the health of your teeth and gums

Variable Name:: OHQ845
SAS Label:: Rate the health of your teeth and gums
English Text:: Overall, how would {you/SP} rate the health of {your/his/her} teeth and gums?
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Excellent	1676	1676
2	Very good	2000	3676
3	Good	3395	7071
4	Fair	1576	8647
5	Poor	702	9349
7	Refused	1	9350
9	Don't know	13	9363
.	Missing	1	9364

OHQ847 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:: OHQ847
English Instructions:: BOX 3. CHECK ITEM SMQ.847: IF SP AGE >= 30, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO END OF SECTION.
Target:: Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

OHQ850 - Ever had treatment for gum disease?

Variable Name:: OHQ850
SAS Label:: Ever had treatment for gum disease?
English Text:: {Have you/Has SP} ever had treatment for gum disease such as scaling and root planing, sometimes called "deep cleaning"?
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	1062	1062
2	No	3474	4536
7	Refused	1	4537
9	Don't know	28	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ855 - Any teeth became loose without an injury

Variable Name:: OHQ855
SAS Label:: Any teeth became loose without an injury
English Text:: {Have you/Has SP} ever had any teeth become loose on their own, without an injury?
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	845	845
2	No	3712	4557
7	Refused	1	4558
9	Don't know	7	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ860 - Ever been told of bone loss around teeth

Variable Name:: OHQ860
SAS Label:: Ever been told of bone loss around teeth
English Text:: {Have you/Has SP} ever been told by a dental professional that {you/s/he} lost bone around [your/his/her} teeth?
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	603	603
2	No	3928	4531
7	Refused	1	4532
9	Don't know	33	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ865 - Noticed a tooth that doesn't look right

Variable Name:: OHQ865
SAS Label:: Noticed a tooth that doesn't look right
English Text:: During the past three months, {have you/has SP} noticed a tooth that doesn't look right?
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	771	771
2	No	3787	4558
7	Refused	1	4559
9	Don't know	6	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ870 - How many days use dental floss/device

Variable Name:: OHQ870
SAS Label:: How many days use dental floss/device
English Text:: Aside from brushing {your/his/her} teeth with a toothbrush, in the last seven days, how many days did {you/SP} use dental floss or any other device to clean between {your/his/her} teeth?
English Instructions:: ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
0 to 7	Range of Values	4555	4555
77	Refused	2	4557
99	Don't know	8	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ875 - Days used mouthwash for dental problem

Variable Name:: OHQ875
SAS Label:: Days used mouthwash for dental problem
English Text:: Aside from brushing {your/his/her} teeth with a toothbrush, in the last seven days, how many days did {you/SP} use mouthwash or other dental rinse product that {you use/s/he uses} to treat dental disease or dental problems?
English Instructions:: ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
0 to 7	Range of Values	4553	4553
77	Refused	2	4555
99	Don't know	9	4564
.	Missing	4800	9364

OHQ880 - Oral cancer exam where Dr pulls tonge

Variable Name:: OHQ880
SAS Label:: Oral cancer exam where Dr pulls tonge
English Text:: {Have you/Has SP} ever had an exam for oral cancer in which the doctor or dentist pulls on {your/his/her} tongue, sometimes with gauze wrapped around it, and feels under the tongue and inside the cheeks?
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	859	859
2	No	3670	4529
7	Refused	1	4530
9	Don't know	35	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ885 - Oral cancer exam where Dr feels neck

Variable Name:: OHQ885
SAS Label:: Oral cancer exam where Dr feels neck
English Text:: {Have you/Has SP} ever had an exam for oral cancer in which the doctor or dentist feels {your/his/her} neck?
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	883	883
2	No	3614	4497
7	Refused	1	4498
9	Don't know	67	4565
.	Missing	4799	9364

OHQ890 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:: OHQ890
English Instructions:: BOX 4. CHECK ITEM SMQ.890: IF OHQ.880 OR OHQ.885 = 1, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO END OF SECTION.
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

OHQ895 - When did you have oral/mouth cancer exam

Variable Name:: OHQ895
SAS Label:: When did you have oral/mouth cancer exam
English Text:: When did {you/SP} have {your/his/her} most recent oral or mouth cancer exam? Was it within the past year, between 1 and 3 years ago, or over 3 years ago?
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Within past year	735	735
2	Between 1 and 3 years ago	236	971
3	Over 3 years ago	189	1160
7	Refused	0	1160
9	Don't know	7	1167
.	Missing	8197	9364

OHQ900 - What type of prof performed oral exam

Variable Name:: OHQ900
SAS Label:: What type of prof performed oral exam
English Text:: What type of health care professional performed {your/SP's} most recent oral cancer exam?
Target:: Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Doctor/physician	188	188
2	Nurse/nurse practitioner	5	193
3	Dentist (include oral surgeons)	659	852
4	Dental Hygienist	112	964
5	Other	6	970
7	Refused	0	970
9	Don't know	1	971
.	Missing	8393	9364

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