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Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental care services during early childhood: an epidemiological survey
Author(s) -
Souza João Gabriel Silva,
Sampaio Aline Araújo,
Costa Oliveira Bárbara Emanoele,
Jones Kimberly Marie,
Martins Andréa Maria Eleutério De Barros Lima
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international journal of paediatric dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.183
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1365-263X
pISSN - 0960-7439
DOI - 10.1111/ipd.12368
Subject(s) - socioeconomic status , medicine , dental care , epidemiology , inequality , environmental health , bivariate analysis , social class , early childhood , family medicine , demography , pediatrics , population , psychology , mathematical analysis , developmental psychology , statistics , mathematics , sociology , political science , law
Background The use of dental care services contributes to the improvement of children's healthy behaviors, reducing the prevalence of future dental problems. In this way, the purpose of this study was to describe the use of dental care service during early childhood and the possible socioeconomic inequalities in this use. Design Data from the Brazilian Oral Health Survey ( SB Brasil, 2010) were used. Interviews with the children's parents and clinical examinations with the children were conducted in a 5‐year‐old representative sample. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple hierarchical statistical analyses were applied. Results Of the 7241 children included, 3812 (53.2%) had used dental care services at least once in their lifetimes, and 1872 (48.8%) had used services for check‐up/prevention. The use of dental services was greater among children with a higher family income ( P < 0.05). The use of check‐ups was lower among children with non‐White skin color (Black and Browns) and among those who did not live in state capitals ( P < 0.05). Clinical conditions and self‐perception were also associated with the use ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Socioeconomic differences in the general use of dental care and in its use for check‐ups were identified during early childhood, indicating the presence of inequalities.