Regular use of dental services among adults and older adults in a vulnerable region in Southern Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of regular use of dental care services by adults and older adults residing in vulnerable community and to identify associated factors.


METHODS
A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 3,391 adults and older adults residing in areas of social vulnerability in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, from July to December of 2009. A systematic sampling method was used the selection probability proportional to the population of each of the the 121 census sectors. The outcome for regular use of dental care services was defined as regular use of dental services, regardless of the presence of dental problems. A standardized questionnaire was administered, which included demographic, socioeconomic, type of dental care services, self-perception of dental health and self-perceived needs variables. A chi-square test for heterogeneity was used for bivariate analyses, and a Poisson regression with a robust variance and Wald tests were performed for the adjusted analysis.


RESULTS
The prevalence of regular use of dental services was 25.7%. The prevalence was higher among people with >12 years schooling (PR 2.48 [95%CI:1.96;3.15]), higher income (PR 1.95[95%CI: 1.03;1.53]), use of private health services (PR 1.43 [95%CI: 1.20;1.71]),excellent self-perceived oral health (PR 4.44 [95%CI: 3.07;6.42]) and a self-perceived need for consultation related to routine checkup (RP 2.13 [95%CI: 1.54;2.96]).


CONCLUSIONS
Inequalities were found in the regular use of dental services. Integrated approaches that raise awareness of oral health, improve self-care and expand access to dental services, may contribute to increase the use of dental services on a regular basis.
Curso de Especialização Saúde da Família. Escola de Gestão em Saúde. Hospital Moinhos de Vento. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. petcovm@terra.com.br
Luciene Petcov
LP
Machado
Maria Beatriz Junqueira
MB
Camargo
José Carlos Milanez
JC
Jeronymo
Gisele Alsina Nader
GA
Bastos
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011203:Poverty; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult