ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early-life dental service utilization could improve child dental health. AIM: Identify contextual, socioeconomic, and child characteristics associated with dental visitation by age 3 years. DESIGN: Within a Brazilian birth cohort (N = 435), multivariable regression models were fitted to identify independent predictors of having made a dental visit at age 3 years. Contextual variables considered included health center type (Traditional vs. Family Health Strategy, which perform home visits) and composition of oral health teams at the heath center where mothers accessed prenatal care. RESULTS: Dental visitation was positively associated with Family Health Strategy health centers (36% vs. 23%) and with higher maternal education and family social class. Visitation was lowest among families served by a health center without a dentist, but number of dentists and oral health team composition were not associated with visitation among facilities with ≥1 dentists. Dental visitation was not statistically significantly associated with caries experience but was higher if parents reported worse oral health-related quality of life. The vast majority of dental decay remained untreated. CONCLUSIONS: Dental visits were underutilized, and socioeconomic inequalities were evident. Dental visitation was more common when mothers received prenatal care at Family Health Strategy health centers, suggesting a possible oral health benefit.
Subject(s)
Dental Care for Children/statistics & numerical data , Family Health , Office Visits , Oral Health , Brazil , Child, Preschool , Dental Care for Children/psychology , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Dental Offices , Dentists , Educational Status , Female , Humans , Male , Mothers/education , Mothers/psychology , Multivariate Analysis , Oral Health/statistics & numerical data , Parents , Prenatal Care , Quality of Life , Social Class , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the condition of oral hygiene, dietary habits and prevalence of dental caries in adolescents, listing these habits and comparing residents from rural and urban areas. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving of 623 adolescents of both sexes, aged 12 to 17 year old in Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected through sociodemographic questionnaires and dental examination. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the exposure variables and outcome. A bivariate analysis was then performed using the Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of caries was 63.6%, in which adolescents living in rural areas had a prevalence of 70.7% and 56.4% in the urban area. The level of mother's education ≤4 years and socioeconomic class B1/B2 and C1/C2 showed statistically significant differences between the areas of residence. Among the demographic variables, the rural area showed a higher prevalence of caries. Conclusion: The results showed a high prevalence of dental caries among the adolescents studied and indicate a correlation between prevalence and the low level of mother's education, socioeconomic status (low to medium) and residence in rural areas. It should be understood that, while the multifactorial nature and stratified caries actions are not taken into consideration, the actions implemented will continue to fail, frustrating the expectations set by government entities.
RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a condição de higiene bucal, hábitos alimentares e prevalência de cárie dentária em adolescentes, relacionando tais hábitos e comparando residentes da zona rural e urbana. Métodos: Estudo transversal, composto por 623 adolescentes de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 12 e 17 anos do município de Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados através de questionários sociodemográficos e exame clínico odontológico. Realizou-se análise descritiva das variáveis de exposição e desfecho. A análise bivariada foi realizada através de teste de qui-quadrado. Resultados: A prevalência de cárie foi de 63,6%, na qual os adolescentes da zona rural apresentaram prevalência de 70,7% e os da zona urbana 56,4%. O grau de instrução materna ≤4 anos e a classe socioeconômica B1/B2 e C1/C2 apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as zonas de moradia. Entre as variáveis demográficas, a zona rural apresentou maior prevalência de cárie. Conclusão: Os resultados evidenciaram alta prevalência de cárie entre os adolescentes e indicam uma correlação da prevalência com a baixa escolaridade materna, classe socioeconômica (média a baixa) e a residência na zona rural. Deve-se compreender que, enquanto não for levado em consideração a multifatoriedade e a ação estratificada da doença cárie, as ações implementadas continuarão falhando e frustrando as expectativas estabelecidas pelas entidades governamentais.
