[Bambuí Project: an evaluation of private, public and unionized dental services].
OBJECTIVE
Since one of the goals of dental services is to reduce the effects of social inequality on dental health, it was assessed whether there are inequalities among those seeking dental care from private, public and unionized services.


METHODS
The study population consisted of adults aged 18 years or more living in the city of Bambuí, Brazil. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using Pearson's chi-square test, odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (Woolf's method).


RESULTS
There were included 656 subjects who met the study's inclusion criteria. Adjusted results using multiple logistic regression showed that those using private services were more likely to be satisfied with their teeth's looks (OR=3.03; 95%CI =1.70-5.39) and chewing ability (OR=2.27; 95%CI=1.17-4.40) compared to those using public services. Also, they were less likely to perceive their need for dental treatment (OR=0.39; 95%CI=0.18-0.86) and were more likely to have had restorative (OR=9.57; 95%CI=4.72 - 19.43) and/or preventive (OR=5.57; 95%CI=2.31 - 13.40) treatment in their last visit to the dentist's. Those using unionized services were more likely to have had restorative (OR=8.51; 95%CI=2.80 - 25.92) and/or preventive treatment (OR=11.42; 95%CI=3.49 - 37.43) in their last visit to the dentist's when compared to those using public services. However, there were no differences regarding satisfaction with their teeth's looks, chewing ability, and perceived treatment needs.


CONCLUSIONS
Public dental care services have not been able to reduce social inequalities related to oral health care.
Matos
Divane Leite
DL
Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde Pública e Envelhecimento, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. divane@cpqrr.fiocruz.br
Lima-Costa
Maria Fernanda
MF
Guerra
Henrique L
HL
Marcenes
Wagner
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D003729:Dental Care / Q000592:standards*; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017149:Private Sector; D011636:Public Health Dentistry / Q000592:standards; D017150:Public Sector; D012923:Social Class
Projeto Bambuí: avaliação de serviços odontológicos privados, públicos e de sindicato.