Self‐perceived dental treatment need among adolescents: A hierarchical analysis

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present study was to analyse the factors associated with self‐perceived need for dental treatment among adolescents. Methods A representative sample in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, comprising 5558 adolescents, was evaluated in 2015. The adolescents were selected by probabilistic sampling by conglomerates in two stages. The outcome evaluated was self‐perceived treatment need measured via a validated questionnaire. Independent variables included sociodemographic factors, type, frequency and reason for last dental visit, and examination of oral conditions. Statistical analysis was based on the multiple hierarchical logistic regression model. Results Of the total sample, 3340 (62.6%) adolescents reported needing dental treatment. After fitting the model, the self‐perceived need for treatment was associated with adolescents with family income of up to $1,500 BRL (OR 1.39; [95% CI = 1.20‐1.60]; P < .001), who sought dental services solely for curative treatment (OR 1.58; [95% CI = 1.46‐1.72]; P < .001), reported toothaches in the previous six months (OR 2.88; [95% CI = 2.53‐3.28]; P < .001), were dissatisfied with the appearance of their teeth and mouth (OR 5.94; [95% CI = 5.03‐7.01]; P < .001), had caries in the posterior teeth only (OR 3.04; [95% CI = 2.77‐3.33]; P < .001) or had caries in the anterior teeth (OR 4.75; [95% CI = 4.05‐5.56]; P < .001). Conclusions The self‐perceived need for dental treatment among Brazilian adolescents was associated with normative and subjective needs, and sociodemographic context factors. This finding provides important evidence for collective health planning.

Effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on behavioural and psychosocial factors related to oral health in adolescents: A cohort study

“…Our results showed that adolescents' self‐perception regarding the need for dental treatment decreased significantly in the pandemic. It is recognized that socioeconomic and clinical factors are related to the individuals' perception of their oral health 25 . There are, however, no reports associating the perception of oral health with the pandemic until then.…”

Family Cohesion Is Associated with the Self-Perceived Need for Dental Treatment among Adolescents

“…The knowledge regarding the factors associated with the self-perceived need for dental treatment in adolescents can assist the planning of education, prevention, and health promotion programs for this target population. Previous studies have shown that aspects such as lower quality of life related to oral health, sociodemographic factors, searching dental services for treatment, dental pain, dissatisfaction with teeth and mouth, and dental caries were associated with the self-perceived need for dental treatment in adolescents [ 3 , 14 ]. Another factor that has been associated with oral health outcomes in adolescents is oral health literacy (OHL) [ 15 , 16 ], which is the ability to identify, understand.…”

Determinants Of Adherence To Dental Treatment Of Socially Vulnerable Adolescents In Primary Health Care: A Cohort Study

“…The need for treatment is one of the predisposing factors for access to dental services [33], and consequently indicates adherence to the indicated dental treatment. Perhaps, a limitation in the use of these clinical variables lies in the fact that other oral conditions prevalent among adolescents, such as malocclusion [34], could have been explored. However, malocclusion was not investigated in this study because the necessary dental treatment is not provided in primary health care.…”