Factors for the Use of Dental Services Associated with Untreated Caries in Children of a Cohort and the Care Offered in the Primary Health Care of Recife, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze factors of use of dental services associated with untreated caries in children from a cohort in the Primary Health Care of Recife and the integral care offered to oral health of children in the areas studied. Material and Methods: 1st step: Analytic study with secondary data from the dental caries inquiry conducted with the cohort in Health District II and IV in 2010. 425 records of children aged 5-7 year were included. The Dependent variable was carious component of the dmft (d≥1) index and independent variables were sociodemographic and use of dental services. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Variables associated with p≤0.20 outcomes were included in the logistic regression multivariate model with permanency criteria of p≤0.05. 2nd step: Descriptive study with 15 key individuals: (03) managers, (01) central level, (02) district level, (12) members of 2 health family teams from the selected districts. The validation of the data collection instrument was performed (semi structured questionnaire). Data were processed by a descriptive analysis in Excel spreadsheet. Results: The prevalence of untreated caries was high (58.1%). The factors associated with use of dental service was: age: 7 years old (OR: 1.62; p<0.001), toothache in the last 6 months (OR: 9.63; p<0.001), unsatisfactory care (OR: 3.57; p<0.014). There was valuation of epidemiological knowledge to plan integral and integrated oral health actions for children, but deficiencies in inter-professional actions were identified to perform these actions, which are recommended by family health teams. Conclusion: The factors associated with the outcome evidenced fragilities in the dental care directed to children and the structuring of the integral care to the oral health offered, although it indicates inter-professional action, it has not been effective to positively impact the d≥1 levels observed.