[Provision and utilization of dental services in Amazonas State, Brazil: a case study in a riverine population in Coari municipality].
This case study described the conditions in the provision and utilization of dental services in two riverine populations in the municipality (county) of Coari, Amazonas State, Brazil. Structured questionnaires were applied to individuals 18 years and older to measure dental services utilization rates. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with key informants to characterize the provision of such services. Although the bivariate analysis did not detect any statistically significant differences, residents of the area farthest from the county seat had gone more time since their last dental visit and received less care from public health services and riverboat clinics. The qualitative analysis showed: no permanent dental services in the communities; sporadic services provided by riverboat clinics, with less frequent visits to the remotest community; high transportation cost for river-dwellers to seek treatment in the county seat; and dental treatment focused on pain control, mainly through tooth extraction. Limited access to dental services for riverine populations highlights the need to implement comprehensive health promotion measures and expand the availability of services.
Cohen-Carneiro
Flávia
F
Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brasil. flaviacohen@ufam.edu.br
Souza-Santos
Reinaldo
R
Pontes
Danielson Guedes
DG
Salino
Alessandra Valle
AV
Rebelo
Maria Augusta Bessa
MA
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D009909:Oral Health; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014098:Toothache / Q000628:therapy