Income inequalities in oral health and access to dental services in the Brazilian population: National Health Survey, 2013

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the improvement in oral health conditions observed in the Brazilian population, there are still high social inequalities that must be monitored. Objective: To evaluate income inequality in oral hygiene practices, oral health status and the use of dental services in the adult and senior Brazilian population. Methods: Data from the National Health Survey conducted in 2013 (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde - PNS 2013) were used for the population aged 18 years old or older. Results: Inequalities were found among the income strata in most of the oral health indicators evaluated. The greatest inequalities were observed in the use of dental floss, in hygiene practices (PR = 2.85 in adults and PR = 2.45 in seniors), and in total tooth loss (PR = 6.74 in adults and PR = 2.24 in seniors) and difficulty in chewing (PR = 4.49 in adults and PR = 2.67 in seniors) among oral condition indicators. The magnitude of inequalities was high in both groups in most oral condition indicators. Income was a factor that persisted in limiting access to dental services, and even the lower income segments had high percentages that paid for dental consultations. Conclusion: Based on data from the first PNS, the findings of this study enabled the identification of oral health and dental care aspects more compromised by income differentials, thus, contributing to the planning of dental care in Brazil and to stimulate the monitoring of these disparities with data from future surveys.

Factors associated with utilisation of dental services by the elders from São Paulo, Brazil

“…The proportion of older adults who accessed dental services within the previous year was relatively small (30.5%). This figure is consistent with findings from the overall population of Brazilian older adults (29.4%) 28 . Higher rates of utilisation of dental services within the previous year were observed among the elders from the United States (62.4%), 29 Japan (57%), 30 Israel (44.4%), 31 France (46,2%), 32 older Korean immigrants living in the United States (62%) 33 and older adults from a city in the South of Brazil (38.3%) 34 .…”

“…This figure is consistent with findings from the overall population of Brazilian older adults (29.4%). 28 Higher rates of utilisation of dental services within the previous year were observed among the elders from the United States (62.4%), 29 Japan (57%), 30 Israel (44.4%), 31 France (46,2%), 32 older Korean immigrants living in the United States (62%) 33 and older adults from a city in the South of Brazil (38.3%). 34 Conversely, a study with data from 66 countries found that the average rates of utilisation of dental services within the previous year among older adults aged 60-69 years and 70 years or older were of 18% and 14.1%, respectively.…”

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on oral health procedures provided by the Brazilian public health system

“…Conversely, the suspension of elective dental procedures might facilitate the deterioration of the oral health of the population, leading to irreparable damages and consequently reducing the quality of life of these subjects ( 18 ). Oral health and inequalities are a recognized major problem in the world, and such conditions is generally linked with lower-income segments of the population ( 30 ). Thus, the reduction of elective procedures provided by the national public health system observed in our study could reflect the impact that is occurring throughout the globe.…”

Salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli and other salivary indices in patients wearing clear aligners versus fixed orthodontic appliances: An observational study

“…A considerable limitation of the present study, related with the absence of a proper randomization, is the presence of a selection bias related with the possible higher socioeconomic status of subjects treated with CA rather than MB considering that there was a reported association between oral hygiene level and socioeconomic status [24].…”