Abstract
Background
There is significant evidence of inequalities in the need for dental treatment, and their monitoring is essential for public health planning.
Objective
To measure the extent of the association between socioeconomic inequality and need for dental care.
Method
This study used data from the 2011 Survey of Oral Health Conditions, including a representative sample of adolescents (n=2,310) and adults (n=1,188) from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Need for dental treatment was evaluated according to criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Family income was used as a measure of socioeconomic status. The magnitude of socioeconomic inequalities related to the need for treatment was assessed using the slope index of inequality (SII) and the relative index of inequality (RII).
Results
Among adolescents, the SII was -22.9% (95% CI -34.8; -11.0) and the estimated RII was 0.61 (95% CI 0.47; 0.79). Among adults, the SII was -28.0% (95% CI -39.8; -16.3) and the RII was 0.58 (95% CI 0.45; 0.74).
Conclusion
There are socioeconomic inequalities regarding the need for dental treatment, and individuals with lower family income present a higher prevalence of need.
Keywords:
oral health; socioeconomic factors; Brazil; dental care