Inequalities in the profile of using dental services in Brazil

This study aimed to examine the influence of socioeconomic factors on inequality in the use of dental services within the Brazilian population. The methodology was based on a sectional study, using secondary data from the 2013 National Health Survey (PNS, in Portuguese). The database contains information on 60,202 individuals over 18 years of age. The dependent variables were "frequency of dental appointments" and "type of dental treatment performed in the last appointment". The independent variables were sex, age group, education, social class measured using the Brazil criterion, and geographic region. The odds-ratio of outcomes were evaluated in the multivariate analysis using a multinomial logistic regression model. It was noticed that the population subgroups comprising Blacks and those residing in the North/Northeast, with lower social class and education, had a greater chance of having irregular follow-up and never having been to the dentist. In addition, this population stratum also had a greater chance of undergoing surgical or emergency dental procedures in the last dental appointment. Data from the 2013 PNS reveal a picture of social inequality in access to dental services in Brazil.