Table of Contents

Component Description

NHANES is critical for monitoring oral health status, risk indicators for disease, and access to preventive and treatment services. This component will address public health significance in areas of surveillance, prevention, treatment, dental care utilization, health policy, evaluation of Federal health programs, standardization of new methods, and oral health disparities.

Oral health data from NHANES will be used for:

Eligible Sample

Participants aged 2 years and older who do not meet any of the exclusion criteria are eligible. A positive response to any of the following medical health-screening questions asked of participants aged 13 years or older will exclude them from the periodontal and root caries assessments. Participants aged 13-15 years must have a health proxy signed by a parent/guardian to participate in the oral health examination.

Protocol and Procedure

The following subcomponents are from the oral health examination component and home interview component with the age groups of interest in parentheses:

Examination:

Interview:

Survey Staff and Protocol

The oral health exam is performed by trained dentists who hold a state dental license in an US jurisdiction. One of up to seven trained oral health recorders is paired with a dentist to form a dental examination team. Two teams function independently throughout the data collection period. All oral health exam data is collected in the mobile examination center. Oral health data obtained during the home interview is collected by trained interviewers. Interview and examination protocols are discussed in detail in the NHANES Oral Health Home Interview and Exam Training Manuals. These manuals are available at the NHANES website.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

The quality of data in this survey is controlled by

  1. an intense training period for the dental teams with calibration of dental examiners prior to the beginning of the survey,
  2. periodic monitoring and recalibration of dental examiners, and
  3. periodic retraining of dental teams.

The reference examiner will visit each team three times per year to observe field operations and to replicate 20 to 25 dental examinations during each visit. The purpose of these “expert replications” is to determine if the field examiners are maintaining the examination standards achieved during training and to measure the degree of deviation, if any, from those standards. If the inter-rater correlation is not within acceptable limits, retraining is conducted on site and future monitoring of the field examiner intensified. An annual retraining session for each dental examiner also is conducted by the reference examiner to reinforce existing protocols and to accommodate protocol updates as needed.

Automated data collection procedures for the survey were introduced in NHANES 1999. In the mobile examination centers (MECs), data for the oral health component are recorded directly onto a computerized data collection form. The system is integrated centrally and it allows for ongoing monitoring of much of the data. As part of an on-going quality control practice, all data are reviewed systematically for logical inconsistencies and examiner error. Internal quality control data review indicates that data quality is acceptable.

Analytic Notes

The oral health data is released in the configuration of six “chapters.” The oral health chapters and subcomponents in parentheses are matched as follows:

A variety of oral health variables can be derived to assist analysts using the oral health exam data. Recommended derivations and a selection of sample code for dental caries status, dental fluorosis, dental sealants, and periodontal status is provided at the Oral Health Data Resource Center (DRC): http://drc.nidcr.nih.gov/. Additional information regarding the NHANES datasets, including quality assurance publications and prevalence reports supported by the federal partners is also available at the DRC.

It is recommended that data users merge relevant 2003-2004 oral health data files with 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 oral health data files to ensure adequate sample size for analyses of many of the oral health outcome measures available in these files. The six-year sample weights can be calculated by data users. Additional analytical details are available at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/analyticguidelines.aspx.

Special Notes

The analysis of NHANES 2003-2004 oral health data must be conducted with the key survey design and basic demographic variables. The NHANES 2003-2004 Household Questionnaire Data Files contain demographic data, health indicators, and other related information collected during household interviews. They also contain all survey design variables and sample weights for these age groups. Other household questionnaire and oral questionnaire files may be linked to the oral health examination data file using the unique survey participant identifier SEQN. The Oral Health Exam (OHX) and Oral Health Questionnaire (OHQ) data are publicly available at the NHANES website.

New content was added to the 2003-2004 Oral Health Exam and Interview making the NHANES Oral Health Component one of the most comprehensive assessments of oral health in the United States to date. Consequently, many variables are only available for the 2003-2004 survey period, which may significantly impact some data analyses.

Acknowledgement

The 2003-2004 NHANES Oral Health Component is a collaborative effort between the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Oral Health (NCCDPHP/DOH), and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

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 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS

OHAEXSTS - Overall Oral Health Exam Status

Variable Name:
OHAEXSTS
SAS Label:
Overall Oral Health Exam Status
English Text:
Overall Oral Health Exam Status
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Complete 7072 7072
2 Partial 1200 8272
3 Not done 575 8847
. Missing 0 8847

OHASCST5 - Referral Status Code

Variable Name:
OHASCST5
SAS Label:
Referral Status Code
English Text:
Referral Status Code
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Complete 8235 8235
2 Partial 34 8269
3 Not done 578 8847
. Missing 0 8847

OHQ131 - Must always take antibiotics?

Variable Name:
OHQ131
SAS Label:
Must always take antibiotics?
English Text:
Q1. Has a doctor or dentist ever told you that you must ALWAYS take antibiotics (e.g. penicillin) before you get a dental check up or care?
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 304 304
2 No 5891 6195
7 Refused 0 6195
9 Don't know 7 6202
. Missing 2645 8847

OHQ132 - Had a heart problem?

Variable Name:
OHQ132
SAS Label:
Had a heart problem?
English Text:
Q2. A heart problem?
English Instructions:
Before we begin, I would like to read you a list of health conditions that some people have. As I read off each condition, please tell me whether or not a doctor has ever told you that you have the condition. Has a doctor ever told you that you have...
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 578 578
2 No 5313 5891
7 Refused 0 5891
9 Don't know 0 5891
. Missing 2956 8847

OHQ134 - Had congenital heart murmurs?

Variable Name:
OHQ134
SAS Label:
Had congenital heart murmurs?
English Text:
Q3. Congenital heart murmurs?
English Instructions:
Was the heart problem due to:
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 123 123
2 No 456 579
7 Refused 0 579
9 Don't know 0 579
. Missing 8268 8847

OHQ136 - Had heart valve problem?

Variable Name:
OHQ136
SAS Label:
Had heart valve problem?
English Text:
Q4. Heart valve problem?
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 49 49
2 No 407 456
7 Refused 0 456
9 Don't know 0 456
. Missing 8391 8847

OHQ138 - Had congenital heart disease?

Variable Name:
OHQ138
SAS Label:
Had congenital heart disease?
English Text:
Q5. Congenital heart disease?
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 12 12
2 No 395 407
7 Refused 0 407
9 Don't know 0 407
. Missing 8440 8847

OHQ140 - Had bacterial endocarditis?

Variable Name:
OHQ140
SAS Label:
Had bacterial endocarditis?
English Text:
Q6. Bacterial endocarditis?
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1 1
2 No 394 395
7 Refused 0 395
9 Don't Know 0 395
. Missing 8452 8847

OHQ142 - Had rheumatic fever?

Variable Name:
OHQ142
SAS Label:
Had rheumatic fever?
English Text:
Q7. Rheumatic fever?
English Instructions:
Has a doctor ever said you have:
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 42 42
2 No 5662 5704
7 Refused 0 5704
9 Don't know 1 5705
. Missing 3142 8847

OHQ144 - Have kidney disease w/ renal dialysis?

Variable Name:
OHQ144
SAS Label:
Have kidney disease w/ renal dialysis?
English Text:
Q8. Kidney disease requiring renal dialysis?
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 7 7
2 No 5656 5663
7 Refused 0 5663
9 Don't know 0 5663
. Missing 3184 8847

OHQ146 - Have other artificial material?

Variable Name:
OHQ146
SAS Label:
Have other artificial material?
English Text:
Q11. Other artificial material in your heart, veins, or arteries?
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 74 74
2 No 5565 5639
7 Refused 0 5639
9 Don't know 0 5639
. Missing 3208 8847

OHQ148 - Have a hip, bone, or joint replacement?

Variable Name:
OHQ148
SAS Label:
Have a hip, bone, or joint replacement?
English Text:
Q12. A hip, bone, or joint replacement?
Target:
Both males and females 13 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 87 87
2 No 5481 5568
7 Refused 0 5568
9 Don't know 0 5568
. Missing 3279 8847

OHQ011 - Describe the cond. of your mouth/teeth

Variable Name:
OHQ011
SAS Label:
Describe the cond. of your mouth/teeth
English Text:
How would you describe the condition of your teeth? Would you say......
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Excellent 333 333
2 Very good 755 1088
3 Good 1751 2839
4 Fair 1555 4394
5 Poor 1040 5434
7 Refused 0 5434
9 Don't know 8 5442
. Missing 3405 8847

OHQ490a - Toothache

Variable Name:
OHQ490a
SAS Label:
Toothache
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Toothache
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 167 167
77 Refused 0 167
99 Don't know 8 175
. Missing 8672 8847

OHQ490b - Sensitivity

Variable Name:
OHQ490b
SAS Label:
Sensitivity
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Sensitivity
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 263 263
77 Refused 0 263
99 Don't know 8 271
. Missing 8576 8847

OHQ490c - Cavities/Caries

Variable Name:
OHQ490c
SAS Label:
Cavities/Caries
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Cavities/Caries
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 897 897
77 Refused 0 897
99 Don't know 8 905
. Missing 7942 8847

OHQ490d - Broken/missing fillings or restorations

Variable Name:
OHQ490d
SAS Label:
Broken/missing fillings or restorations
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Broken/missing fillings or restorations
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 238 238
77 Refused 0 238
99 Don't know 8 246
. Missing 8601 8847

OHQ490e - Broken / fractured teeth

Variable Name:
OHQ490e
SAS Label:
Broken / fractured teeth
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth?- Broken / fractured teeth
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 393 393
77 Refused 0 393
99 Don't know 8 401
. Missing 8446 8847

OHQ490f - Staining/discoloration of teeth

Variable Name:
OHQ490f
SAS Label:
Staining/discoloration of teeth
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Staining/discoloration of teeth
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 999
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 138 138
77 Refused 0 138
99 Don't know 8 146
. Missing 8701 8847

OHQ490g - Crooked teeth or need braces

Variable Name:
OHQ490g
SAS Label:
Crooked teeth or need braces
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Crooked teeth, or teeth that need braces
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 227 227
77 Refused 0 227
99 Don't know 8 235
. Missing 8612 8847

OHQ490h - Teeth needing extractions

Variable Name:
OHQ490h
SAS Label:
Teeth needing extractions
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Teeth needing extractions
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 155 155
77 Refused 0 155
99 Don't know 8 163
. Missing 8684 8847

OHQ490i - Missing teeth

Variable Name:
OHQ490i
SAS Label:
Missing teeth
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Missing teeth
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 526 526
77 Refused 0 526
99 Don't know 8 534
. Missing 8313 8847

OHQ490j - Denture problems

Variable Name:
OHQ490j
SAS Label:
Denture problems
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Denture problems
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 249 249
77 Refused 0 249
99 Don't know 8 257
. Missing 8590 8847

OHQ490k - Periodontal problems

Variable Name:
OHQ490k
SAS Label:
Periodontal problems
English Text:
What specific problems do you have with your teeth? - Periodontal problems
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 528 528
77 Refused 0 528
99 Don't know 8 536
. Missing 8311 8847

OHQ490l - Unsatisfactory prior dental experience

Variable Name:
OHQ490l
SAS Label:
Unsatisfactory prior dental experience
English Text:
Unsatisfactory prior dental experience
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 29 29
77 Refused 0 29
99 Don't know 8 37
. Missing 8810 8847

OHQ490m - None/no specific problem

Variable Name:
OHQ490m
SAS Label:
None/no specific problem
English Text:
None/no specific problem
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 1475 1475
77 Refused 0 1475
99 Don't know 8 1483
. Missing 7364 8847

OHQ490n - Other

Variable Name:
OHQ490n
SAS Label:
Other
English Text:
Other
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Checked 372 372
77 Refused 0 372
99 Don't know 8 380
. Missing 8467 8847

OHQ410 - Removable complete/partial max denture

Variable Name:
OHQ410
SAS Label:
Removable complete/partial max denture
English Text:
Do you have an upper removable partial or full denture?
Target:
Both males and females 25 YEARS - 120 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1039 1039
2 No 2894 3933
7 Refused 0 3933
9 Don't Know 0 3933
. Missing 4914 8847

OHQ420 - Wears complete/partial max denture

Variable Name:
OHQ420
SAS Label:
Wears complete/partial max denture
English Text:
Do you usually wear it during the day?
Target:
Both males and females 25 YEARS - 120 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 956 956
2 No 83 1039
7 Refused 0 1039
9 Don't know 0 1039
. Missing 7808 8847

OHQ430 - Removable complete/partial mand. denture

Variable Name:
OHQ430
SAS Label:
Removable complete/partial mand. denture
English Text:
Do you have a lower removable partial or full denture?
Target:
Both males and females 25 YEARS - 120 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 791 791
2 No 3140 3931
7 Refused 1 3932
9 Don't Know 1 3933
. Missing 4914 8847

OHQ440 - Wears complete/partial Mand. denture

Variable Name:
OHQ440
SAS Label:
Wears complete/partial Mand. denture
English Text:
Do you usually wear it during the day?
Target:
Both males and females 25 YEARS - 120 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 674 674
2 No 117 791
7 Refused 0 791
9 Don't Know 0 791
. Missing 8056 8847

OHAREC - Overall recommendation for care

Variable Name:
OHAREC
SAS Label:
Overall recommendation for care
English Text:
Overall recommendation for care
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 See a dentist immediately 10 10
2 See a dentist within the next 2 weeks 206 216
3 See a dentist at your earliest convenience 4986 5202
4 Continue your regular routine care 3035 8237
. Missing 610 8847

OHAROCDT - Untreated Caries / Restorative needs

Variable Name:
OHAROCDT
SAS Label:
Untreated Caries / Restorative needs
English Text:
A. Decayed teeth
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2511 2511
. Missing 6336 8847

OHAROCGP - Periodontal needs

Variable Name:
OHAROCGP
SAS Label:
Periodontal needs
English Text:
B. Gums/gum disease
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1057 1057
. Missing 7790 8847

OHAROCOH - Gingival / OHI needs

Variable Name:
OHAROCOH
SAS Label:
Gingival / OHI needs
English Text:
C. Oral hygiene
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 4559 4559
. Missing 4288 8847

OHAROCCI - Assessment of soft tissue lesion

Variable Name:
OHAROCCI
SAS Label:
Assessment of soft tissue lesion
English Text:
D. Clinical impression of soft tissue condition
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 8 8
. Missing 8839 8847

OHAROCDE - Denture/Partial Denture/plates

Variable Name:
OHAROCDE
SAS Label:
Denture/Partial Denture/plates
English Text:
E. Denture/Partial Denture/plates
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 111 111
. Missing 8736 8847

OHAROTH - Some other finding

Variable Name:
OHAROTH
SAS Label:
Some other finding
English Text:
Some other finding (specify w/ referral letter)
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 306 306
. Missing 8541 8847

OHARNF - No significant needs

Variable Name:
OHARNF
SAS Label:
No significant needs
English Text:
F. No significant findings
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 3011 3011
. Missing 5836 8847

OHARCMT - Other Referral Comments

Variable Name:
OHARCMT
SAS Label:
Other Referral Comments
English Text:
Other Referral Comments
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
Other Referral Comments Value was recorded 317 317
< blank > Missing 8530 8847

OHAPOS - Was participant exam position recumbent

Variable Name:
OHAPOS
SAS Label:
Was participant exam position recumbent
English Text:
Was the SP in a recumbent (laying down) position for all eligible assessments of the oral health exam?
English Instructions:
Was the SP in a recumbent (laying down) position for all eligible assessments of the oral health exam (Oral-facial--Loss of Attachment)?
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 8075 8075
2 No 162 8237
9 Can not assess 0 8237
. Missing 610 8847