The Basic Screening Survey (BSS) is a standardized oral health data collection method. DSHS Oral Health Improvement Program conducts school-based BSSs every five years to assess the oral health of Texas students and monitor changes over time. A list of schools is generated to ensure a representative sample of Texas children. For the 2022-2023 survey, 84 schools participated and 1,808 kindergarteners and 1,537 third graders were screened. 

2022-2023

• Kindergarten and Third Grade BSS Overall Results, 2022-2023

2018-2019

• Kindergarten BSS Oral Health Disparities, 2018-2019 
• Kindergarten BSS Access to Oral Health Care, 2018-2019 

2017-2018

• Third Grade BSS Access to Care, 2017-2018 
• Third Grade BSS Oral Health Disparities, 2017-2018 
• Third Grade BSS Geographic Analysis, 2017-2018 

The  National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) provides national and state-level data about the health and well-being of children, their families and communities. It includes several oral health indicators. 

2020-2021

• Oral Health Among Texas Children, 2020-2021

2016-2019 

• Oral Health Among Texas Children, 2018-2019
• Oral Health Among Texas Children, 2016-2017 

The  School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPAN) monitors body mass index (BMI) in school-aged children in Texas. SPAN identifies factors in Texas students that may lead to obesity, including dietary behaviors, nutrition knowledge and attitudes, physical activity, and social and environmental factors. 

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) is a classroom-based paper survey that monitors health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the US. 

2018

• YRBS Oral Health Data Brief 

The  Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) provides the most comprehensive population-based data on maternal health care before, during and after pregnancy in Texas. 

2016-2020

• Oral Health Among Pregnant Women in Texas, 2016-2020

2012-2016 

• Teeth Cleaning During Pregnancy in Texas, 2012-2016  
• Lack of Dental Cleaning During Pregnancy, 2012-2016 
• Teeth Cleaning During Pregnancy in Texas PRAMS 2012-2016 poster  

The Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the nation's system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about US residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventative services.  

• Exploring Adult Oral Health, 2016 
• Older Adults and Oral Health, 2012-2018 

Smile Proud was a grant funded pilot project undertaken to improve daily oral hygiene, and impact oral health-related conditions, among Texas nursing home residents. The TMF Health Quality Institute conducted the survey from March 2017 to March 2019 using the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors Adult Basic Screening Survey (BSS) methodology.  

The Department of State Health Services, Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Unit, was responsible for analyzing and reporting the data. 

• Smile Proud Report, 2017-2019 
• Smile Proud Summary Poster 

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). OPC occurs on the back of the throat and base of the tongue. A vaccine is available to prevent HPV related cancers in males and females. 

2013-2017 

• Oropharyngeal Cancer & Human Papillomavirus Vaccinations, Texas, 2013-2017 

The Texas HPV Coalition and Dallas County Dental Society helped OHIP conduct a survey of Dallas County dental providers in April 2020. The goal of the survey was to determine if dental providers in Dallas County recommend HPV vaccination. They also provided feedback on how to best educate providers about HPV and its vaccine. 

• Human Papilloma Virus Survey of Dental Providers, Dallas, 2020 {Full Report} {Summary} 

The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD)  developed the Basic Screening Survey (BSS) protocol to standardize procedures across the nation. More information about the BSS protocol can be found here. 

• The National Oral Health Data Portal, developed by ASTDD, includes consolidated datasets on oral health status, attitudes, cost, utilization, and access to care. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Oral Health Division  provides current information on oral health,  community water fluoridation,  dental sealants,  oral health data and more. 

The  National Oral Health Surveillance System (NOHSS), jointly developed by the CDC and the ASTDD, monitors the burden of oral disease by analyzing nation and state-level trends over time.

The Texas Health Institute (THI) developed the Texas Health Insights Dashboard to provide a broader view of access, workforce, outcomes, and community factors. 

• The Texas Health Insights Dashboard, developed by THI, includes county profiles and county-level insights across Texas.
• Oral Health is Overall Health Data Brief, 2026

Texas Health Data offers current information, health facts profiles and multiple, interactive data dashboards about several health topics.

• BRFSS data, Oral Health Topic
• PRAMS data, Dental Cleaning During Pregnancy and Pre-Pregnancy Dental Cleaning
• YRBS data, Oral Health Category