Dental Health Data and Reporting

Data is an essential component of public health.  Data should be what drives decisions and changes. It is our role to collect and provide oral health surveillance data in Texas.  

Basic Screening Survey for Texas Children

The Texas Oral Health Basic Screening Survey begins in the 2022-2023 school year. This survey assesses the oral health of Texas students and identifies changes over time.  

How it Works 

A list of schools is generated to ensure a representative sample of Texas children. Typically, around 140 schools participate and just under 5,000 children are screened.  Because of their participation, we know that nearly 53 percent of kindergarteners and 67 percent of third-graders in Texas have experienced tooth decay. See the Data and Surveillance for Children section below for more information about the survey and past findings.

Data and Surveillance for Children

The Basic Screening Survey (BSS) is a standardized oral health data collection method. DSHS Oral Health Improvement Program conducts school-based BSSs every five years to assess the oral health of Texas students and monitor changes over time. 

Data Sources: 

2018-2019 

2017-2018 

 

The National Survey of Children's Health is designed to provide national and state-level estimates on key indicators of health and well-being of children, their families and communities. This survey compares national and state to state level estimates including several oral health indicators. 

Data Sources: 

2016-2019 

 

The School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) is a surveillance system that monitors body mass index (BMI) in school-aged children in Texas. SPAN identifies factors in Texas students that may lead to obesity, including dietary behaviors, nutrition knowledge and attitudes, physical activity, and social and environmental factors. 

Data Sources: 

2015-2016 

 

The Texas Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a classroom-based paper survey that monitors health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults.  

Data Sources: 

2018 

  • YRBS Oral Health Data Brief 

Data and Surveillance for Pregnant Women

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) provides the most comprehensive population-based data on maternal health care before, during, and after pregnancy in Texas. 

Data Sources:  

2012-2016 

Data and Surveillance for Adults

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the nation's premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about US residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services.  

Data Sources: 

 

Smile Proud was a grant funded pilot project undertaken to improve daily oral hygiene, and impact oral health-related conditions, among Texas nursing home residents. The TMF Health Quality Institute conducted the survey from March 2017 to March 2019 using the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors Adult Basic Screening Survey (BSS) methodology.  

The Department of State Health Services, Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Unit, was responsible for analyzing and reporting the data. 

Human Papilloma Virus Data

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). OPC occurs on the back of the throat and base of the tongue. A vaccine is available to prevent HPV related cancers in males and females. 

Data Sources: 

2013-2017 

 

The Texas HPV Coalition and Dallas County Dental Society helped OHIP conduct a survey of Dallas County dental providers in April 2020. The goal of the survey was to determine if dental providers in Dallas County recommend HPV vaccination. They also provided feedback on how to best educate providers about HPV and its vaccine. 

  • Human Papilloma Virus Survey of Dental Providers, Dallas, 2020 {Full Report} {Summary