Does the implementation of a national oral health policy reduce inequalities in oral health services utilization? The Brazilian experience.
BMC Public Health
; 21(1): 541, 2021 03 19.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33740941
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the trend in income-related inequalities in oral health services utilization by the Brazilian population from 1998 to 2013. This period represents a timeline that includes different stages of implementation of the National Oral Health Policy. METHODS: The design was based on repeated cross-sectional surveys using secondary data from household-based studies carried out in Brazil in 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013. The dependent variable was "having access to a dentist appointment at least once in a lifetime (yes/no)." Monthly household per capita income, based on Brazil's minimum wage, was included as the main independent variable. To measure the inequalities in oral health access related to economic position, the following complex indexes based on regression were used: (a) the slope index of inequality (SII) and (b) the relative index of inequality (RII). RESULTS: There was a reduction in the percentage of individuals who never had a dentist appointment for all age groups and income classifications. In general, there was a reduction trend in absolute inequality for all age groups (p < 0.001). The relative inequality and reduction trend were different between the age groups studied. CONCLUSIONS: The National Oral Health Policy was very important for expanding free of charge, public access to dental appointment. However, despite policy implementation, there continues to be high levels of inequality in access to dental consultation. Assessing which strategies are necessary to overcome this challenge is discussed.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Saúde Bucal
/
Disparidades nos Níveis de Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
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Equity_inequality
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Implementation_research
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Patient_preference
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Public Health
Assunto da revista:
SAUDE PUBLICA
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil
País de publicação:
Reino Unido