Description
Specific Indicator
Corresponding Mandatory Objective
Corresponding National Indicator
Data Sources (see Resources: Data Sources)
Numerator & Denominator: Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
Original source: Statistics Canada
Distributed by:
1. Knowledge Management and Reporting Branch, Ontario MOHLTC
2. Statistics Canada
Suggested citation (see Data Citation Notes):
1. Canadian Community Health Survey [year], Statistics Canada, Share File, Knowledge Management and Reporting Branch, Ontario MOHLTC
2. Canadian Community Health Survey [year], Statistics Canada, Public Use Microdata File, Statistics Canada
Numerator & Denominator: 1996/97 Ontario Health Survey (OHS)
Original source: Statistics Canada
Distributed by:
1. Knowledge Management and Reporting Branch, Ontario MOHLTC
2. Statistics Canada
Suggested citation (see Data Citation Notes):
1. Ontario Health Survey 1996/97, Statistics Canada, Share File, Knowledge Management and Reporting Branch, Ontario MOHLTC
2. Ontario Health Survey 1996/97, Statistics Canada, Public Use Microdata File, Statistics Canada
Survey Questions
2003 Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 2.1):
Question DEN_Q130: “It was reported earlier that you have “seen” or “talked to” a dentist in the past 12 months. Did you actually visit one?”
2000/01 Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 1.1):
Question DV_Q130 (Variable DENA_130): “It was reported earlier that you have “seen” or “talked to” a dentist in the past 12 months. Did you actually visit one?”
1996/97 Ontario Health Survey:
Question ACC_Q60 (Variable DV_6_60): “It was reported earlier that you have “seen” or “talked to” a dentist in the past 12 months. Did you actually visit one?”
Analysis Check List
The “not applicable” respondents should be grouped with “no” respondents because they had indicated in an earlier question that they had not seen or talked to a dentist in the past 12 months. The number of “don’t know” (coded as 7), “refusal” (coded as 8) and “not stated” (coded as 9) respondents are likely small and can be excluded. Users should check numbers before excluding these non-respondents.
Before releasing and/or publishing these data, users should ensure that the number of sampled respondents who contributed to the estimate is at least 30 (or 10 if bootstrapping is done), regardless of the estimate’s coefficient of variation. For estimates with the minimal sample size, determine the coefficient of variation of the rounded weighted estimate and follow the guidelines below:
Acceptable (0.0 - 16.5) Estimates can be considered for general unrestricted release. Requires no special notation.
Marginal (16.6 - 33.3) Estimates can be considered for general unrestricted release but should be accompanied by a warning cautioning of high sampling variability.
Unacceptable (greater than 33.3) Statistics Canada recommends not releasing estimates of unacceptable quality. However, if the user chooses to do so then estimates should be flagged and the following warning should accompany the estimates: “The user is advised that . . .(specify the data) . . . do not meet Statistics Canada’s quality standards for this statistical program. Conclusions based on these data will be unreliable and most likely invalid”. These data and any consequent findings should not be published. If the user chooses to publish these data or findings, then this disclaimer must be published with the data.
Method of Calculation
Weighted number of respondents aged 12+ reporting “YES” they visited a dentist in the past year | * 100 |
Total weighted population aged 12+ |
Basic Categories
Age groups: 12-19, 20-44, 45-64, 65+.
Sex: male, female.
Geographic areas for: CCHS – all 37 Public Health Units and16 District Health Councils in Ontario; 1996/97 OHS – 23 health areas.
Indicator Comments
Regular visits to a dentist are considered important in maintaining good oral health.
Poor access to dental services can provide a measure of the accessibility, availability and need for services.
Visits to the dentist (question DVQ_130) is NOT the same as question HC-Q02e which asks whether the respondent has seen, or talked on the telephone about their physical, emotional or mental health with a …dentist or orthodontist.
For respondents who did not visit a dentist in the past year, a related question (DV_Q132) can be examined to determine when they last visited a dentist (1 to 2 years ago, 3 to 4 years ago etc).
The 1990 Ontario Health Survey also asked about dental visits, but was worded differently and may not be comparable: Variable F5Q48 “How long has it been since you last saw a dentist, dental therapist or other dental care provider? 1) Within the last six months, 2) 6 months to 1 year, 3) 1-2 years, 4) 3-5 years, 5) More than 5 years.
Based on the CCHS 2000/01 Share File (excluding non-response), 66.5% of Ontarians aged 12 years and older visited a dentist in the past 12 months.
Cross-References to Other Sections
deft/DMFT Index (Child and Adolescent Health – Section 6C)
Caries-free children (Child and Adolescent Health – Section 6C)
Children with dental treatment needs (Child and Adolescent Health – Section 6C)
Fluorosis Index (Child and Adolescent Health – Section 6C)
Fissure sealants (Child and Adolescent Health – Section 6C)
References
Public Health Research, Education and Development Program (PHRED). Report on the Health Status of the Residents of Ontario. February 2000. (available at http://www.opha.on.ca, the website for the Ontario Public Health Association, under General Resources - http://www.opha.on.ca/resources/e-h.html#general).
Date of Last Revision: March 19, 2004
