Dental services utilization at a Primary Health Care program's area

OBJECTIVES: To assess the utilization of dental services by the population served by a federal program of primary health care (Family Health Program), in a city of Southern Brazil, and to identify exclusion factors. METHODS: The study observed a cross-sectional, probabilistic design. The sample encompassed 339 individuals who answered a questionnaire on socioeconomic conditions, oral hygiene habits, perceived needs, and access to dental services. Multivariate models of logistic regression analysis considered “recent use of dental services” and “never having had a dental visit” as outcome variables. RESULTS: 43% of the respondents had a dental examination in the year before the survey; 15% had never had a dental visit. Fifty eight percent reported having their own dentist, whereas 31% would ask for dental services provided by the Family Health Program in case of need. Self perception of dental disease and knowledge on oral health were significantly associated to both outcomes (p<0,001). The multivariate model fitted for “recent use of dental services” included: having his/her own dentist (Odds Ratio 2.72; 95% Confidence Interval 1.62 - 4.57); toothbrushing twice or more times per day (OR 2.08; 95%CI 1.04 - 4.15); having ever received information on oral health (OR 4.29; 95%CI 2.31 - 7.96); and the report of at least one episode of toothache during the last six months (OR 2,27; IC95% 1,31 - 3,95). The multivariate model fitted for “never having had a dental visit” included: absent ownership of the family's home (OR 3.06; 95%CI 1.21 - 7.72); not having his/her own dentist (OR 2.40; 95%CI 1.02 - 5.67); insufficient frequency of toothbrushing (OR 3.60; 95%CI 1.58 - 8.20), being a child (OR 24.17; 95%CI 5.41 - 108.02), and presenting no impact of oral conditions on the quality of life (OR 4.35; 95%CI 1.67 - 11.28). CONCLUSIONS: Inequalities affect the utilization of dental services at the investigated area. The identification of exclusion factors may instruct health authorities on planning of potentially effective health services that target universal utilization.(CNPq409792/2006-3)