title: [Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental services: a study of Mexican schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years].
abstract: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between socioeconomic indicators and use of dental services in a sample of 3,048 Mexican schoolchildren. The dependent variable 'use of dental services' and independent variables were collected through a questionnaire addressed to mothers. To determine oral health needs, a clinical oral examination was performed. The adjusted associations were evaluated using polytomous logistic regression. Adjusted by gender, the categories associated with both preventive and curative services were age, greater frequency of brushing, earlier initiation of brushing, healthcare coverage, and better socioeconomic status. In addition, for preventive services only, use of services was associated with enrolment in private school, and for curative services only, family's possession of an automobile and having moderate to high oral health needs. The results suggest the existence of socioeconomic inequalities in the use of both preventive and curative dental services by Mexican children.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, México. cemedinas@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Carlo Eduardo
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Medina-Solís
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Villalobos-Rodelo
authors.forename: María de Lourdes
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Márquez-Corona
authors.forename: Ana Alicia
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Vallejos-Sánchez
authors.forename: Carlos López
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Portillo-Núñez
authors.forename: Alejandro José
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Casanova-Rosado
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D009909:Oral Health; D012943:Social Security; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data