[Dental procedures and hospital costs for patients with special needs in Brazil]

This study examined factors related to procedures and costs for dental care for patients with special needs (PSN) in Brazil. It involved a cross-sectional study using data from the Hospital Information System on Hospitalization Authorization (HA) for dental treatment for PSN, from 2010 to 2018. Data were collected on the number and cost of hospital dental procedures, AIH cost, HDI, Gini index, oral health coverage in primary care, number of hospital beds, clinical dentists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The analysis included Spearman correlation and Tweedie's multiple regression (p < 0.05). The highest incidence of dental treatment for PSN occurred in the Southeast (50.7%). Higher HDI (p < 0.05; B = -18.672), greater coverage of oral health in primary care (p < 0.05; B = -0.024), and a higher number of clinical dentists in hospitals (p < 0.05; B = -0.003) contributed to a lower quantity and cost of hospital dental procedures and HA. Increased coverage of oral health in primary care and a higher number of clinical dentists favor the reduction in the number and cost of hospital dental procedures for PSN.