Dental Visits in KFL&A

Data sources and citation: Canadian Community Health Survey 2000 and 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008, 2009 and 2010, 2013 and 2014, Statistics Canada, Share File, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Sample: Residents 12 years and over in the KFL&A area.

Released: Sept. 2016

Respondents who have visited the dentist in the previous 12 months, ages 12 and over

Figure 1. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 12 and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 1. Please see Table 1 below for text description.

Table 1. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 12 and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A	Ontario
2000 and 2001	66.4% (62.7, 69.8)	69.7% (68.9, 70.5)
2003	69.9% (66.3, 73.4)	72.4% (71.6, 73.1)
2005	70.1% (66.0, 73.9)	71.4% (70.6, 72.1)
2007 and 2008	66.8% (60.4, 72.6)	71.4% (70.3, 72.5)
2009 and 2010	74.2% (69.6, 78.3)	72.0% (71.1, 72.8)
2013 and 2014	76.5% (71.7, 80.7)	72.7% (71.9, 73.5)

Interpretation for Figure 1.

In 2013 to 2014, 76.5% (71.7, 80.7) of residents, ages 12 and over, in KFL&A visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. In both KFL&A and Ontario, there was a slight increasing trend over time in the percentage of residents, ages 12 and over, who visited a dentist in the previous 12 months.

Respondents who have visited the dentist in the previous 12 months, ages 12 and over, by sex

Figure 2. Percentage of males that have visited a dentist, ages 12 and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 2. Please see Table 2 below for text description.

Table 2. Percentage of males that have visited a dentist, ages 12 and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A males	Ontario males
2000 and 2001	62.3% (57.0, 67.3)	67.6% (66.5, 68.6)
2003	69.4% (63.7, 74.6)	69.3% (68.1, 70.4)
2005	67.3% (61.2, 72.9)	69.1% (68.0, 70.2)
2007 and 2008	61.9% (52.2, 70.7)	68.8% (67.1, 70.4)
2009 and 2010	75.4% (69.4, 80.5)	70.8% (69.7, 72.0)
2013 and 2014	71.5% (63.0, 78.7)	70.0% (68.8, 71.3)

Interpretation for Figure 2.

In 2013 to 2014, 71.5% (63.0, 78.7) of male residents, ages 12 and over, in KFL&A visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. In Ontario, there was a very slight increasing trend over time in the percentage of males, ages 12 and over, who visited a dentist in the previous 12 months.

Figure 3. Percentage of females that have visited a dentist, ages 12 and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 3. Please see Table 3 below for text description.

Table 3. Percentage of females that have visited a dentist, ages 12 and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A females	Ontario females
2000 and 2001	70.1% (65.3, 74.5)	71.8% (70.8, 72.8)
2003	70.5% (65.1, 75.3)	75.3% (74.2, 76.3)
2005	72.7% (67.6, 77.3)	73.5% (72.5, 74.5)
2007 and 2008	71.2% (63.5, 77.9)	73.9% (72.4, 75.3)
2009 and 2010	73.1% (67.6, 78.6)	73.1% (71.9, 74.2)
2013 and 2014	81.1% (76.8, 84.8)	75.3% (74.2, 76.3)

Interpretation for Figure 3.

In 2013 to 2014, 81.1% (76.8, 84.8) of female residents, ages 12 and over, in KFL&A visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. In Ontario, there was a very slight increasing trend over time in the percentage of females, ages 12 and over, who visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. Also, in Ontario, a higher percentage of females have visited a dentist in the previous 12 months than males. KFL&A shows the same trends, but the differences are not statistically significant, possibly due to sample size.

Respondents who have visited the dentist in the previous 12 months, by age group

Figure 4. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 12 to 19, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 4. Please see Table 4 below for text description.

Table 4. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 12 to 19, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A	Ontario
2000 and 2001	82.2% (72.4, 89.0)	82.2% (80.5, 83.7)
2003	80.8% (69.9, 88.5)	84.2% (82.6, 85.8)
2005	88.2% (78.4, 93.9)	83.0% (81.2, 84.6)
2007 and 2008	69.0% (50.3, 83.0)	83.8% (81.4, 86.0)
2009 and 2010	89.9% (79.2, 95.4)	83.9% (82.2, 85.5)
2013 and 2014	93.0% (80.0, 97.8)	86.1% (84.3, 87.7)

Interpretation for Figure 4.

In 2013 to 2014, 93.0% (80.0, 97.8) of residents, ages 12 to 19, in KFL&A visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. In both KFL&A and Ontario, there was a very slight increasing trend over time in the percentage of those, ages 12 to 19, who visited a dentist in the previous 12 months.

Figure 5. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 20 to 44, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 4. Please see Table 4 below for text description.

Table 5. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 20 to 44, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A	Ontario
2000 and 2001	62.6% (57.2, 67.7)	70.0% (68.8, 71.1)
2003	74.4% (68.2, 79.8)	70.7% (69.5, 71.9)
2005	66.6% (59.7, 72.9)	69.3% (68.1, 70.5)
2007 and 2008	60.0% (50.2, 69.2)	67.7% (65.0, 69.5)
2009 and 2010	71.1% (63.6, 77.6)	68.8% (67.5, 70.1)
2013 and 2014	73.9% (65.4, 80.9)	69.1% (67.6, 70.5)

Interpretation for Figure 5.

In 2013 to 2014, 73.9% (65.4, 80.9) of residents, ages 20 to 44, in KFL&A visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. No trends over time were seen.

Figure 6. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 45 to 64, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 6. Please see Table 6 below for text description.

Table 6. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 45 to 64, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A	Ontario
2000 and 2001	73.2% (65.2, 80.0)	71.8% (70.5, 73.2)
2003	65.8% (57.7, 73.1)	75.0% (73.6, 76.3)
2005	70.7% (63.4, 77.1)	75.4% (74.1, 76.7)
2007 and 2008	73.4% (62.5, 82.0)	74.1% (72.0, 76.1)
2009 and 2010	74.7% (64.3, 82.9)	75.5% (73.9, 76.9)
2013 and 2014	78.6% (69.6, 85.5)	76.6% (75.1, 78.0)

Interpretation for Figure 6.

In 2013 to 2014, 78.6% (69.6, 85.5) of residents, ages 45 to 64, in KFL&A visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. In Ontario, there was a very slight increasing trend over time in the percentage of those, ages 45 to 64, who visited a dentist in the previous 12 months.

Figure 7. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 65 years and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 7. Please see Table 7 below for text description.

Table 7. Percentage that have visited a dentist, ages 65 years and over, in the previous 12 months, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Year	KFL&A	Ontario
2000 and 2001	52.0% (42.5, 61.3)	53.6% (51.9, 55.3)
2003	58.6% (50.9, 65.8)	61.2% (59.4, 62.9)
2005	64.6% (56.1, 72.3)	58.6% (56.8, 60.3)
2007 and 2008	66.0% (55.1, 75.4)	65.6% (63.5, 67.7)
2009 and 2010	69.6% (62.1, 76.2)	63.2% (61.5, 64.8)
2013 and 2014	70.0% (63.2, 76.0)	64.8% (63.2, 66.4)

Interpretation for Figure 7.

In 2013 to 2014, 70.0% (63.2, 76.0) of residents, ages 65 and over, in KFL&A visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. In Ontario, there was an increasing trend over time in the percentage of those, ages 65 and over, who visited a dentist in the previous 12 months. KFL&A shows the same trends, but the differences are not statistically significant, possibly due to sample size.

When respondents last visited a dentist

Figure 8. Number of years ago respondents last visited a dentist, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014

*Use with caution due to high variability of estimate as a result of small sample size

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Table 8. Number of years ago respondents last visited a dentist, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Number of years	KFL&A	Ontario
1 to 3 years	50.8% (41.8, 59.7)	53.9% (52.3, 55.5)
3 to 5 years	12.8%* (8.1, 19.6)	16.9% (15.6, 18.2)
6 or more years	35.8% (26.6, 46.2)	25.8% (24.5, 27.3)
Never	NR	3.4% (2.7, 4.2)

*Use with caution due to high variability of estimate as a result of small sample size

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Interpretation for Figure 8.

In 2013 to 2014, 50.8% (41.8, 59.7) of residents, ages 12 and over, in KFL&A last visited a dentist between 1 and 3 years ago. There were no differences between KFL&A and Ontario.

Figure 9. Percentage that last visited a dentist between 1 and 3 years ago, KFL&A and Ontario, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 9. Please see Table 9 below for text description.

*Use with caution due to high variability of estimate as a result of small sample size

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Table 9. Percentage that last visited a dentist between 1 and 3 years ago, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Years	KFL&A	Ontario
2000 and 2001	45.5% (37.8, 53.5)	54.5% (53.2, 55.7)
2003	55.6% (48.2, 62.7)	58.2% (56.6, 59.8)
2005	48.3% (40.6, 56.1)	53.1% (51.7, 54.6)
2008	57.8% (47.5, 67.6)	54.4% (52.1, 56.7)
2009 and 2010	44.7% (35.7, 54.1)	53.6% (51.9, 55.2)
2013 and 2014	50.8% (41.8, 59.7)	53.9% (52.3, 55.5)

*Use with caution due to high variability of estimate as a result of small sample size

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Interpretation for Figure 9.

In Ontario, the percentage of those, ages 12 and over, who last visited a dentist between 1 and 3 years ago from 2005 and onwards, was slightly lower than the percentage prior to 2005.

Figure 10. Percentage that last visited a dentist between 3 and 5 years ago, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 10. Please see Table 10 below for text description.

*Use with caution due to high variability of estimate as a result of small sample size

Table 10. Percentage that last visited a dentist between 3 and 5 years ago, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Years	KFL&A	Ontario
2000 and 2001	17.3%* (11.7, 24.9)	14.9% (14.0, 15.8)
2003	14.7%* (10.6, 20.0)	14.9% (13.8, 16.1)
2005	17.1%* (11.8, 24.1)	15.6% (14.6, 16.6)
2008	11.0%* (6.7, 17.6)	16.4% (14.5, 18.3)
2009 and 2010	18.9%* (11.7, 29.0)	15.3% (14.0, 16.7)
2013 and 2014	12.8%* (8.1, 19.6)	16.9% (15.6, 18.2)

*Use with caution due to high variability of estimate as a result of small sample size

Interpretation for Figure 10.

In 2013 to 2014, 12.8%* (8.1, 19.6) of residents, ages 12 and over, in KFL&A last visited a dentist between 3 and 5 years ago. There were no differences between KFL&A and Ontario and no trends over time were seen.

*Use with caution due to high variability of estimate as a result of small sample size

Figure 11. Percentage that last visited a dentist between 6 or more years ago, KFL&A and Ontario

Figure 11. Please see Table 11 below for text description.

Table 11. Percentage that last visited a dentist 6 or more years ago, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)

Years	KFL&A	Ontario
2000 and 2001	35.1% (29.7, 40.9)	27.4% (26.3, 28.5)
2003	28.4% (22.6, 35.1)	24.2% (22.9, 25.5)
2005	31.6% (25.0, 39.0)	27.2% (26.0, 28.3)
2008	30.8% (21.6, 41.8)	25.1% (23.3, 26.9)
2009 and 2010	35.0% (25.1, 46.4)	26.0% (24.7, 27.4)
2013 and 2014	35.8% (26.6, 46.2)	25.8% (24.5, 27.3)

Interpretation for Figure 11.

In 2013 to 2014, 35.8% (26.6, 46.2) of residents, ages 12 and over, in KFL&A visited a dentist 6 or more years ago. There were no differences between KFL&A and Ontario and no trends over time were seen.

Figure 12. Percentage that have never visited a dentist, Ontario, 2013 and 2014

Figure 12. Please see Table 12 below for text description.

Table 12. Percentage that have never visited a dentist, Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Years	Ontario
2000 and 2001	3.3% (2.8, 3.9)
2003	2.7% (2.2, 3.4)
2005	4.2% (3.5, 4.9)
2008	4.2% (3.1, 5.6)
2009 and 2010	5.1% (4.2, 6.2)
2013 and 2014	3.4% (2.7, 4.2)

Interpretation for Figure 12.

In 2013 and 2014, in Ontario, 3.4% (2.7, 4.2) of residents have never visited a dentist. The estimates for KFL&A were too unstable to report.

Reasons why respondents have not been to the dentist in the previous three years

The following question was only asked of those respondents who had not visited a dentist in the previous three years months.

Figure 13. Reasons why respondents have not been to the dentist in the previous three years, Ontario, 2013 and 2014

Figure 13. Please see Table 13 below for text description.

Table 13. Reasons why respondents have not been to the dentist, Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Reason	2013 and 2014
Cost	34.1% (31.6, 36.6)
Didn't think it was necessary	33.4% (31.0, 35.7)
Wears dentures	19.3% (17.9, 20.8)
Have not gotten around to it	10.6% (9.0, 12.2)
Fear (painful, embarrassing)	6.7% (5.4, 8.0)

Interpretation for Figure 13.

The most common reason given for not having been to the dentist in the previous three years was cost.

Figure 14. Percentage that have visited a dentist in the previous 12 months by income group, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014

Figure 14. Please see Table 14 below for text description.

Table 14. Percentage that have visited a dentist in the previous 12 months by income group, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Income level	KFL&A	Ontario
Lower income	64.1% (55.5, 71.9)	57.5% (55.8, 59.1)
Medium income	78.5% (68.9, 85.8)	74.1% (72.8, 75.4)
Higher income	86.3% (77.8, 91.9)	85.9% (84.9, 86.9)

Interpretation for Figure 14.

In Ontario, the percentage of those who have visited the dentist in the previous 12 months increases with increasing income. KFL&A shows the same trends, but the differences are not statistically significant, possibly due to sample size.

Figure 15. Percentage that have visited a dentist in the previous 12 months by urban and rural status, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014

Figure 15. Please see Table 15 below for text description.

Table 15. Percentage that have visited a dentist in the previous 12 months by urban and rural status, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)

Years	KFL&A	Ontario
Urban	79.8% (74.4, 84.3)	72.9% (71.9, 73.8)
Rural	70.8% (61.4, 78.8)	71.8% (70.3, 73.3)

Interpretation for Figure 15.

In Ontario, the percentage of those who have visited the dentist in the previous 12 months did not change with urban and rural status.

Confidence intervals explained

Researchers look at the "confidence levels" of percentages being compared to decide if there is a statistically significant difference between percentages. If the 95% confidence intervals of two estimates do not overlap, there is considered to be a significant difference between the estimates. A statistically significant difference means that:

the difference between two percentages is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone, and
there is likely a true difference or change in the percentages.

In this report, 95% confidence intervals will accompany each percentage in all figures and tables. The true or actual percentage falls within the 95% confidence interval range 95 times out of 100. A wide confidence interval reflects a large amount of variability or imprecision. Usually, the larger the sample size, the narrower the confidence intervals. In tables, the 95% confidence intervals will be written with the percentage, followed by the 95% confidence interval range in brackets, e.g., 25.3% (12.3, 32.4). In figures, the 95% confidence interval are represented by error bars at the top of each bar (column).