Dental caries is the most common chronic disease affecting children in the United States. It is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.*

52% in children aged 6 to 8 years

67% in children aged 12 to 17 years

Prevalence rates vary by ethnicity as well as socioeconomic status. African American and Hispanic children have higher rates of caries at all ages, compared with white non-Hispanic children. Data indicate that American Indian/Alaska Native children have among the highest rates of caries. There is inadequate data on children with special health care needs, but as a group they are at increased risk for coexisting morbidities such as caries.