Pierce County Smile Survey

Although tooth decay has declined dramatically over the past four decades, it is still the single most common chronic disease in children in the US. 

The Pierce County Smile Survey, a school-based oral health surveillance study, was conducted as part of the Washington State Smile Survey during the 2009-10 school year. 

The assessment included multiple indicators which convey information about children's health, but also about how we as a community fare in caring for our children's teeth.

The sample included 2nd and 3rd graders in public elementary schools,
and 3-to 5-year-olds living in poverty and enrolled in Head Start or ECEAP programs.