Author:

• RAFAELA DA SILVEIRA PINTO - Pinto, R.S. - Sabará, Minas Gerais - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde do Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou – Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Coordenação Estadual de Saúde Bucal da Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de Minas Gerais. - <rafaela.silveira@saude.mg.gov.br>

Thematic Area:

Não Categorizado

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors related to the use of dental services by Brazilian adults. Data was collected from 13,356 adults (35-44 years), participating in an epidemiological nationwide survey of oral health (SB-BRASIL 2003 Project). Data analysis was based on Poisson regression, which produced estimates of prevalence ratios as a measure of association. Data analysis showed that the use of dental services by adults was associated to: female gender, low education and income, residence in the Northeast and South regions and in small cities, complaints of toothache or gum pain, need for partial/total prosthesis, a greater amount of permanent teeth requiring treatment, demand for service due to some dental problems and evaluation of dental care received with a regular rate. These results showed that the population attended by the public service was socioeconomic disadvantaged and had greater need for treatment. This situation reflects an historical abandonment of of the adult population by the dental health care system in Brazil and poses as major challenge to the National Health Service, considering its role in reducing inequalities and providing universal access to integral care

Key-words: dental health service use – oral health – adult – Brazil

Content:

Access Issue in Scielo

Other languages: