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Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Oral health questions asked each year - 2001

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

BRFSS 2001                            Module 6: Oral Health

1. How long has it been since you last visited a dentist or a dental clinic for any reason? (257)
Read Only if Necessary Include visits to dental specialists, such as orthodontists
1 Within the past year (anytime less than 12 months ago)
2 Within the past 2 years (1 year but less than 2 years ago)
3 Within the past 5 years (2 years but less than 5 years ago)
4 5 or more years ago
7 Don=t know/Not sure
8 Never
9 Refused

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. (258)
Include teeth lost due to "infection"
1 1 to 5
2 6 or more but not all
3 All
8 None
7 Don=t know/Not sure
9 Refused
If "never" to Q1 or "all" to Q2, go to Q4. 

3. How long has it been since you had your teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist? (259)
Read Only if Necessary
1 Within the past year (anytime less than 12 months ago)
2 Within the past 2 years (1 year but less than 2 years ago)
3 Within the past 5 years (2 years but less than 5 years ago)
4 5 or more years ago
7 Don=t know/Not sure
8 Never
9 Refused
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 past year? (260-261)
Reason code Read Only if Necessary
0 1 Fear, apprehension, nervousness, pain, dislike going
0 2 Cost
0 3 Do not have/know a dentist
0 4 Cannot get to the office/clinic (too far away, no transportation, no appointments available)
0 5 No reason to go (no problems, no teeth)
0 6 Other priorities
0 7 Have not thought of it
0 8 Other
7 7 Don't know/Not sure
9 9 Refused 

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? (262)
1 Yes
2 No
7 Don't know/Not sure
9 Refused


Calculated variables

 No calculated oral health variables listed in documentation for 2001