Comparison of the 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report Findings with Previous Years

The 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report findings show a comparison with previous years, highlighting trends in untreated decay among different age groups.^13-16 For children aged 2-5, the prevalence of untreated decay in primary teeth decreased slightly from 13% in 2011-2016 to 11% in 2024. Similarly, for children aged 6-11, untreated decay in permanent teeth decreased from 5% to 3%, and for adolescents aged 12-19, it decreased from 13% to 10%. Among adults aged 20-64, the prevalence of untreated decay decreased from 25% in 2011-2016 to 21% in 2024. For older adults aged 65 and older, untreated decay decreased from 15% to 13%.

Despite these improvements, the report highlights persistent disparities. Higher prevalence of untreated decay remains consistent among high poverty groups, and non-Hispanic Black and Mexican American individuals continue to have higher rates of untreated decay.¹⁶ Additionally, current smokers still show higher rates of untreated decay and tooth loss. Overall, the 2024 report indicates a general improvement in oral health across various age groups compared to previous years, with notable decreases in untreated decay.^14,16 However, disparities based on socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and smoking habits persist.

In 2016, the Health Policy Institute of the American Dental Association (ADA) made available oral health fact sheets for every US state. These data can be accessed via the following ADA link: http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/health-policy-institute/oral-health-care-system, and may be of interest to both dental health professionals and their patients.