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Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Oral health questions asked each year - 2000

This content was abstracted from questionnaires published on the BRFSS Web site http://www.cdc.gov/brfss.

BRFSS 2000                             Module 6: Oral Health

1. How long has it been since you last visited a dentist or a dental clinic for any reason?  (263)
Read only if necessary Include visits to dental specialists, such as orthodontists
a. Within the past year (1 to 12 months ago)                     1
b. Within the past 2 years (1 to 2 years ago)                      2
c. Within the past 5 years (2 to 5 years ago)                      3
d. 5 or more years ago                                                    4
Don’t know/Not sure                                                      7
Never                                                                            8
Refused                                                                         9 

2. How many of your permanent teeth have been removed because of tooth decay or gum disease?  Do not include teeth lost for other reasons, such as injury or orthodontics. (264)
Include teeth lost due to "infection"
a. 1 to 5                                                                                    1
b. 6 or more but not all                                                   2
c. All                                                                             3
d. None                                                                                     8
Don’t know/Not sure                                                      7
Refused                                                                         9
If "never" to Q1 or "all" to Q2, go to 4.

3. How long has it been since you had your teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist? (265) 
Read only if necessary
a. Within the past year (1 to 12 months ago)                     1
b. Within the past 2 years (1 to 2 years ago)                      2
c. Within the past 5 years (2 to 5 years ago)                      3
d. 5 or more years ago                                                    4
Don’t know/Not sure                                                      7
Never                                                                            8
Refused                                                                         9
If "within the past year," to Q1 or Q3, go to Q5.

4. What is the main reason you have not visited the dentist in the last year? (266-267)
Reason code  Read Only if Necessary
a. Fear, apprehension, nervousness, pain, dislike going                                                       01
b. Cost                                                                                                                          02
c. Do not have/know a dentist                                                                                         03
d. Cannot get to the office/clinic (too far away, no transportation, no appointments available) 04
e. No reason to go (no problems, no teeth)                                                                                    05
f. Other priorities                                                                                                            06
g. Have not thought of it                                                                                                             07
h. Other                                                                                                                        08
Don't know/Not sure                                                                                                      77
Refused                                                                                                                         99 

5. Do you have any kind of insurance coverage that pays for some or all of your routine dental care, including dental insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicaid? (268)
a. Yes                                                   1
b. No                                                    2
Don't know/Not sure                              7
Refused                                                 9


Calculated variables

No calculated oral health variables listed in documentation for 2000.