The following is a list of national data sources with information about oral health indicators, the oral health status of various populations, and/or the oral health workforce. Click on the links below to view specific oral health data sources. Revisit this page periodically, as new data sources will be continuously added.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Division of Oral Health
Contains links to information about community water fluoridation, state-based oral health programs, and a variety of oral health topics.
CDC: National Oral Health Surveillance System
Contains both national and state level data on a variety of oral health indicators.
CDC: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Contains oral health variables collected every fourth year.
CDC: National Health Interview Survey
Tracks health status, health care access, and progress towards national health objectives. Also asks questions on tobacco use.
CDC: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Includes both interviews and physical examinations. Asks questions related to oral health and utilization of oral health services, including smoking.
CDC: The Youth Risk Behaviors Surveillance System
A national, school-based survey asks students in grades 9 to 12 about their smoking or tobacco use behaviors.
CDC: The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System
Collects data about the health of mothers and infants, including questions about visiting a dentist or dental hygienist and the length of time since having teeth cleaned.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Contains links to data on a number of oral health topics.
National Cancer Institute: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER)
Provides data on the incidence of oral cancers at the national and state levels.
Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health: National Survey of Children’s Health
Contains historical data about children’s oral health in 2003, 2007, and 2011/12.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS): Annual State Reports
States submit annual reports to CMS describing the percentage of children enrolled in Medicaid and are eligible for the Early and Period Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit, who received various health and oral health services during the year.
CMS: Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS)
Collects Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program eligibility and enrollment data, and utilization and expenditure data from states. Also includes dental services utilization data.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Uniform Data System
Provides profile information on health center grantees, including the percent of patients receiving oral health services and the number of oral health professionals employed in funded health centers.
HRSA: Area Health Resources File (AHRF)
Contains data at the national and county levels about a variety of health professions including dentists and dental hygienists.
HRSA: U.S. Health Workforce State Profiles
Includes profiles of 35 health occupations by state, including dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants.
HRSA: Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA)
Medically underserved areas and populations are designated when the dentist-to-population ratio indicates a shortage of qualified professionals to provide services to a population in a specific geographic area or facility, or to a special population group. Contains DHPSAs by state and county.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
A survey of families, individuals, providers and employers that asks questions about the use of health care services, health insurance coverage and costs of services. The household component includes questions on dental services and types of dental providers.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Contains occupational employment statistics for a variety of professions including dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants. Includes the number of jobs available by industry and profession.