[Factors associated with dental care use among a population of Moroccan adolescents].
BACKGROUND
Untreated dental caries are a major public health concern because of the impact on quality of life and of the high cost of dental care. Our aim was to identify factors related to dental care use among a population of urban Moroccan adolescents.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study involving adolescents in an urban area was conducted. Adolescents were recruited in high schools selected by a cluster sampling method. The studied variables were recorded through a questionnaire and oral examinations. Collected data were socio-demographic parameters, medical insurance status and oral health status using DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) and SiC (Significant Caries Index) indexes. Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate factors associated to dental care use.


RESULTS
Four hundred and fifty adolescents were included in 2012 and 2013. Three hundred and eighty seven (86%) had one untreated dental caries at least. One hundred and seventy-one (38%) had at least one filled teeth. Logistic regression analysis showed that health insurance status, parental income, gender and DMFT index were statistically significant variables associated to dental care use.


CONCLUSIONS
Renouncement to dental care is not only related to the lack of medical insurance. Other factors such as gender and income level seems to be as important.
Département d'odontologie conservatrice et d'endodontie, faculté de médecine dentaire, université Mohammed V, équipe de recherche en écosystème oral, Rabat, Maroc; Laboratoire de biostatistique de recherche clinique et d'épidémiologie, faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, université Mohammed V, Rabat, Maroc; Hôpital militaire d'instruction Mohammed V, Rabat, Maroc. Electronic address: dr_chala@yahoo.fr.
S
S
Chala
Département d'odontologie conservatrice et d'endodontie, faculté de médecine dentaire, université Mohammed V, équipe de recherche en écosystème oral, Rabat, Maroc.
K
K
Silorh
Laboratoire de biostatistique de recherche clinique et d'épidémiologie, faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, université Mohammed V, Rabat, Maroc.
R
R
Abouqal
Département d'odontologie conservatrice et d'endodontie, faculté de médecine dentaire, université Mohammed V, équipe de recherche en écosystème oral, Rabat, Maroc.
F
F
Abdallaoui
D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Adolescent; Adolescents; Dental care; Disparités de soins; Healthcare disparities; Traitement dentaire