title: Maternal characteristics and treatment needs as predictors of dental health services utilisation among Mexican  school children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether maternal characteristics and treatment needs are associated with dental health services  utilization (DHSU) in school children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study in 1373 school children aged 6- 12 years in elementary schools in Campeche, Mexico collected family and sociodemographic characteristics; an oral  examination was conducted. The dependent variable was DHSU in the year preceding the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DHSU  prevalence was 65.5%. The variables associated (p<0.05) with DHSU in the final multivariate model were age  (OR=1.27), maternal schooling (OR=1.07), mother's attitude toward oral health (OR=1.39), frequency of tooth  brushing (OR=1.83), enamel defects (OR=1.55), and unmet oral health needs (moderate: OR=1.42 and  high: OR=2.30).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific sociodemographic and maternal variables were associated with DHSU.  Strategies are needed to increase appropriate and timely use of services to improve health status.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Autonomous University of Campeche Campeche, Mexico.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Vallejos-Sánchez
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Medina-Solís
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minaya-Sánchez
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Villalobos-Rodelo
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Márquez-Corona
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Islas-Granillo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maupomé
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000002:abnormalities; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D008800:Mexico; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D009909:Oral Health; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data