Factors associated with the absence of Brazilians in specialized dental centers.

AIM: To identify the individual and contextual factors associated with the absence of Brazilians at a scheduled appointment in Dental Specialties Centers (DSC). METHODS: This cross-sectional design uses the National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Dental Specialties Centers database, 2018. The outcome was the users' lack of at least one of the scheduled appointments. Contextual and individual independent variables were used, considering Andersen's behavioural model. The analyses were performed with the R Core Team and SAS (Studio 3.8, Institute Inc, North Carolina, U.S, 2019) programs. RESULTS: Of the 10,391 patients interviewed, 27.7% missed at least one of the consultations. In the adjusted multivariate model, the interpretation based on the effect size and 95% CI showed that the behaviour individual predisposing factors such as age ≤ 42 years (OR = 1.10; 95%CI:1.01-1.21), individual need factors such as participation in the "Bolsa Família" program (OR = 1,14; 95%CI:1.02-1.27), not being covered by the Family Health Strategy (OR = 1.15; 95% CI:1.02-1.30), and users of periodontics services (OR = 1.22;95%CI:1.05-1.40) were associated with absences. The behavioural factor associated with the outcome was that the DSC facilities were not in good condition (OR = 1.18; 95%CI:1.03-1.34). DSC located in the capital (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 0.92-1.48) were 12% more likely to have dental absences than those in the interior region. CONCLUSION: There are individual and contextual barriers associated with patients not attending specialised public dental consultations. DSC should offer adequate hours to patients, especially young adults and vulnerable people.

Attributes of primary health care in Mato Grosso do Sul state: PCAT-Brazil paired for users and health professionals, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to analyse the quality of adults and older adults health care in Primary Health Care (PHC) services in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, 2018. METHODS: A quantitative survey was carried out in which the municipalities participating in the study included the four macro-regions following the Director Regional Plan (DRP). In this study, the quality of care was verified using the validated version of the PCAT-Br for adult and older adults users over 18 years of age and professionals. The professional's and users' views were compared between PHC attributes in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. We performed the paired student t-test. STATA v.14.2 software (College Station, TX, USA) was used for the analyses. Sensitivity analysis was done to compare socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Eight hundred twenty-five users and 424 professionals participated in the study. According to users, the Accessibility attribute had the worst performance in all macro-regions (mean score PCAT = 3.58). There were significant differences between the perception of users and professionals (PCAT = 5.32 for users and PCAT = 7.11 for professionals) in all attributes evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: There was a difference in users' and professionals' perceptions between PHC attributes. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen PHC care networks in the State, mainly considering the users' perspectives.