Inequalities in oral health practices and social space: an exploratory qualitative study

Reasons for and consequences of tooth loss in adults and elderly people in Brazil: a qualitative metasynthesis

The objective was to analyze and systematize evidence reported in qualitative studies on the reasons and consequences of tooth loss in adults and elderly people in Brazil. A systematic review of the literature on qualitative research methods and a meta synthesis of the results were performed. The study population consisted of adults over 18 years of age and elderly people in Brazil. Searches were performed in the BVS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, BBO, Embase, EBSCO and SciELO databases. The thematic synthesis identified 8 analytical themes regarding reasons for tooth loss and 3 analytical themes regarding consequences of tooth loss. Dental pain, care model, financial situation and desire for prosthetic rehabilitation were determining factors for extractions. There was recognition of negligence in oral care, and the naturalness of tooth loss was linked to old age. Missing teeth caused psychological and physiological impacts. It is imperative to verify whether the factors that cause tooth loss persist, and how much those factors influence decisions to extract teeth among current young and adult populations. It is necessary to change the care model through the inclusion and qualification of oral health care for the young and elderly adult populations; otherwise, the model of dental mutilation and the culture of edentulism will persist.

Influencia del gradiente social sobre la salud bucal de mujeres trabajadoras formales

Introducción. Las patologías bucales se asocian con las condiciones sociales, materiales y el nivel socioeconómico desfavorables. La salud bucal de las mujeres se ve afectada por aspectos sociales, que marcan inequidades en salud, si se compara con los hombres Objetivo. Evaluar la influencia del gradiente social sobre la salud bucal de mujeres trabajadoras de una universidad de Santander, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Estudio observacional analítico de corte transversal que involucró a 84 mujeres trabajadoras. Se utilizaron variables sociodemográficas, de condición de salud bucal (presencia de caries dental, enfermedad periodontal y edentulismo) y posición social. Se estableció una relación entre estas. Para ello, se aplicaron las pruebas Chi cuadrado o Exacto de Fisher, t de Student o test de rangos de Wilcoxon, con una significancia α≤0,05. Resultados. Se evidenció una prevalencia de caries dental de un 85,7%, enfermedad periodontal de un 79,8%, y prevalencia de edentulismo de un 40,5%; los factores sociales que se presentaron con mayor frecuencia mostrando alguna relación con las condiciones bucales fueron edad, etnia, estado civil, nivel educativo, la labor que realiza diariamente, estrato socioeconómico, la responsabilidad económica dentro del hogar. Conclusión. El gradiente social no registró diferencias estadísticamente significativas al analizarlo con las patologías orales; sin embargo, se estableció que las mujeres que se ubicaron en la posición social alta tenían menos carga de enfermedades bucales; mientras que las mujeres que se encontraban en la posición social baja tenían mayor prevalencia de caries dental, enfermedad periodontal y edentulismo. Como citar este artículo: Almario-Barrera AJ, Concha-Sánchez SC. Influencia del gradiente social sobre la salud bucal de mujeres trabajadoras formales. Revista Cuidarte. 2022;13(3):e2334. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.2334   

A disability-based exploration of psychosocial barriers and enablers to accessing dental services for people with clinically severe obesity: A qualitative study

This qualitative study aimed to explore psychosocial barriers and enablers to accessing dental services for people with clinically severe obesity (PwCSO). Eight focus groups were conducted by one researcher with 40 adult participants at the Adult Healthy Weight Clinic within a hospital-based obesity service. Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts was performed to reveal insights relating to how PwCSO experience dental care and view oral health. A total of 11 participants were male, 29 female, all between the ages of 23 to 74 (mean age of 50). The body mass index of participants ranged from 31.6 to 84.6 kg/m² . The results highlighted four key themes, including "disempowerment to act to improve oral health", "weight-related stigma and discrimination", "unpredictability of the dental environment" and a "lack of tailored services for PwCSO". A number of subthemes were identified, which reflect the six categories of barriers to access from the disability literature: availability, affordability, acceptability, accommodation, accessibility and appropriateness. These were explored to further appreciate the unique psychosocial considerations for this group. This study concluded that PwCSO face significant barriers to accessing dental services across all six categories highlighted in the disability literature. The study findings provide valuable patient-based information regarding the psychosocial barriers to accessing dental services, which are relevant for all healthcare professionals. The study reflected an increased need for promotion of the dentist's role in obesity management and obesity-related dental training, including familiarization with the biopsychosocial domains of obesity to reduce weight related stigma and discrimination, as an area for further study. The findings also guide the design of Specialized Bariatric Dental Services in the future, with a focus on enablers to access.

Factors associated with utilisation of dental services by the elders from São Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND

Population ageing in Brazil is rapid and is likely to place additional pressure over the Brazilian public health system.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the factors associated with utilisation of dental services in the previous year among a representative sample of older adults from São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS

The sample included 5951 older adults who participated in the SBSP-15 study, an epidemiological survey conducted in 2015 in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The outcome "utilisation of dental services" was defined as having visited a dentist in the previous year. Chi-square tests were employed in the bivariate analyses and Poisson regressions with robust variance in the multilevel analysis.

RESULTS

Only 30.5% of the participants had their last dental appointment within the previous year. Number of teeth and dental pain presented the strongest effects on the investigated outcome. Education, income, age, ethnicity, living alone, higher Family Health Strategy coverage and the Metropolitan area were associated with having visited a dentist in the previous year. Older adults who rated their oral health as positive did not report treatment need nor prosthodontic need, presented negative oral health-related quality of life, had their last dental appointment in the public health system and sought treatment due to pain or extraction also were more likely to report the utilisation of dental services in the previous year.

CONCLUSION

Regional, sociodemographic and subjective factors are associated with utilisation of dental services in the previous year among the elders from the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Socioeconomic inequalities in use and non-use of dental services in Poland

Objectives

To assess the impact of classical socioeconomic factors on the use and non-use of dental services on a representative sample of Polish population.

Methods

The study was based on face-to-face surveys conducted by GUS (Statistics Poland) on 13,376 respondents in 2010 and 12,532 individuals in 2013.

Results

The percentage of people using dental services in the highest income group was approximately twice as high as that in the lowest one (Q1: 7.0% vs. Q5: 16.4%), with the same being true for education (the lowest education group: 8.3% vs. the highest education group: 18.0%), and place of residence (inhabitants of rural areas: 9.2% vs. inhabitants of largest cities: 15.9%) in 2013. The analysis has shown the disparities in not using dental services when in need to be less clear-cut.

Conclusions

The conducted research, based on two independent periods, a representative population sample, univariate analysis and the multivariate regression model has revealed pronounced social inequalities in dental care use. It is a challenge to determine the factors which contribute most to health inequalities and the interventions which are most effective in reducing them.

The course from tooth loss to successful rehabilitation with denture: Feelings influenced by socioeconomic status

Objective:

This study evaluated the perception of users of complete dentures (successful cases) provided by the public health service throughout the course from tooth loss to rehabilitation.

Methods:

A total of 11 individuals who received their complete dentures through the public health service were interviewed according to a qualitative approach based on three pre-established topics: (1) tooth loss, (2) living without teeth, and (3) living with dentures. The obtained material was submitted to content analysis.

Results:

Individuals associated the socioeconomic status with lifelong oral health experiences and difficulty to access oral treatment. Tooth loss was the solution to pain and sometimes perceived as a natural event of life. Living without teeth was a negative surprise that resulted in physical and psychological impairments. The period of adaptation to dentures represented suffering and required psychological efforts to be successful.

Conclusion:

The dentures represented a reward for the suffering and recovered normal function, appearance, and socialization.

Factors associated with the utilization of dental health services by the pediatric population: an integrative review

This integrative literature review aimed to analyze studies about factors associated with the utilization of dental health services by the pediatric population between zero and 15 years old, published between 2006 and 2016 and available in Portuguese, English or Spanish. A survey of articles in the Lilacs and Medline databases was carried out, using the search strategy: ("dental care/utilization" OR "dental health services/utilization") AND ("child" OR "child, preschool") AND NOT adult. To analyze the methodological quality, the adapted Critical Appraisal Skill Programme (CASP) and the Agency for Healthcare and Research and Quality (AHRQ) were used. The following predictors of use of dental health services stood out: factors associated with children or adolescents (age, frequency of tooth brushing, chronic conditions), caregivers (schooling, perception of child's dental health, perceived oral health needs), dentists (availability at night and on the weekends) and follow up of oral health by the family health team. These are inherent factors for the planning of oral health policies or programs for the pediatric population. However, these factors vary according to the context, and therefore, a contextual analysis should be conducted.

Posição social e julgamento dos serviços de saúde pelos usuários

Resumo Com o objetivo de investigar as relações entre o julgamento dos serviços de saúde pelos usuários e a sua posição no espaço social, foi realizado um estudo apoiado na sociologia de Bourdieu envolvendo dois grupos. Foram realizadas 22 entrevistas em profundidade com professores universitários e usuários de unidades de saúde. A posição no espaço social desses agentes foi caracterizada por meio da análise dos seus capitais e trajetória social. Identificou-se que a escolha dos médicos entre os agentes de maior capital global vinculava-se a critérios técnicos e simbólicos. Em contrapartida, entre agentes de classes populares, o acesso foi o principal critério. Analisou-se que a tomada de posição em relação ao serviço corresponde a um ajuste inconsciente das necessidades às possibilidades dos usuários. Discutem-se as implicações da distância social existente entre médicos e pacientes na escolha e julgamento dos serviços de saúde.

Advances and challenges in oral health after a decade of the "Smiling Brazil" Program

OBJECTIVE

To analyze oral health work changes in primary health care after Brazil's National Oral Health Policy Guidelines were released.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted on Medline, LILACS, Embase, SciELO, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, and The Cochrane Library databases, from 2000 to 2013, on elements to analyze work changes. The descriptors used included: primary health care, family health care, work, health care policy, oral health care services, dentistry, oral health, and Brazil. Thirty-two studies were selected and analyzed, with a predominance of qualitative studies from the Northeast region with workers, especially dentists, focusing on completeness and quality of care.

RESULTS

Observed advances focused on educational and permanent education actions; on welcoming, bonding, and accountability. The main challenges were related to completeness; extension and improvement of care; integrated teamwork; working conditions; planning, monitoring, and evaluation of actions; stimulating people's participation and social control; and intersectorial actions.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the new regulatory environment, there are very few changes in oral health work. Professionals tend to reproduce the dominant biomedical model. Continuing efforts will be required in work management, training, and permanent education fields. Among the possibilities are the increased engagement of managers and professionals in a process to understand work dynamics and training in the perspective of building significant changes for local realities.

Risk indicators for tooth loss in Kiriri Adult Indians: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the risk indicators of tooth loss in adult Kiriri Indians from Brazil.

METHODS

A representative sample of 225 Indians (≥ 19 years of age) was assessed. Interviews using a structured written questionnaire were performed to collect data on demographics and socio-economic status, and health-related data. Probing depth, the distance between the cement-enamel junction and the free gingival margin, and decayed, missing or filled teeth were evaluated. Bivariate and logistic models were used to assess associations between tooth loss and age, sex, income, education, diabetic status, smoking habits, dental caries, severe periodontitis, plaque index and previous dental visit.

RESULTS

Eighty per cent of subjects had lost one tooth or more, and 20% had lost eight teeth or more. Mean (± standard deviation) tooth loss was 5.09 (± 5.83) teeth. After adjustment for covariates, loss of one tooth or more was associated with older age [≥ 35 years; odds ratio (OR) = 4.06, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.38-11.94, P = 0.01], severe periodontitis (OR = 3.35, 95% CI: 0.99-11.24, P = 0.05), higher dental caries (OR = 3.24, 95% CI: 1.35-7.78, P = 0.01) and previous dental visit (OR = 23.32, 95% CI: 5.75-94.63, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Tooth loss is highly prevalent in Kiriri Indians. Older age, severe periodontitis, higher caries index and previous dental visit were associated with tooth loss. Prevention and treatment programmes, targeting high-risk groups, are required to promote the oral health of the population.

[The social value of teeth and access to dental health services]

Oral healthcare provided by the Unified Health System (SUS) faces the challenge of attending the epidemiological profile of Brazil's adult population. Qualitative research using semi-structured interviews was conducted to understand the experiences, expectations and perception of SUS users to services in Diamantina, State of Minas Gerais, and content analysis was used to assess the data. Discussion of the results was based on dialogue between the symbolic interactionism of Goffman and Bourdieu's concept of habitus. The results show that the users did not give importance to dental care during childhood and adolescence because care was unknown to them. There was no offer of treatment besides dental extraction. Today, they value teeth and suffer the embarrassment caused by rotten teeth. However, access to dental restoration via SUS is not possible. For their children, they perceive better access to information and care, but for specialized procedures there are barriers. They express resignation both in relation to the poor state of the teeth and the difficulties of access to dental care, which can be understood by the constant exclusion experienced by them in the past, shaping their actions in the present. It was concluded that oral health in SUS should incorporate the social value and the aesthetic dimension of teeth as a social right.

Characteristics of dental care-seeking behavior and related sociodemographic factors in a middle-aged and elderly population in northeast China

Background

The etiologies of oral disease are generally progressive and cumulative, such that compared with younger individuals, middle-aged and elderly people are at greater risk of active dental caries and periodontal disease risk. They usually suffer from multiple oral diseases, and obstacles to their use of dental care services are numerous.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to investigate the characteristics of dental care-seeking behaviors and related sociodemographic factors in a middle-aged and elderly population in northeast China.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 1188 subjects, including 792 middle-aged (35–44 years-old) and 396 elderly (65–74 years-old) residents of northeast China. Information on dental care-seeking behaviors and sociodemographic characteristics was collected during face-to-face structured interviews conducted between May and June 2010. Chi square tests, Ridit scoring, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed to characterize dental care-seeking behaviors and their associations with sociodemographic factors.

Results

A greater proportion of middle-aged participants reported a need for dental visits compared with the elderly participants (75.8 % vs. 60.9 %; P < 0.01), as did more urban that rural residents (P < 0.05). The majority of individuals in both the middle-aged and elderly groups obtained for dental care at their own expense, and they predominantly chose private dental clinics. Ridit analyses showed that education level and income were significantly associated with oral care in both middle-aged and elderly people (Ps < 0.05). In addition, logistic regression analysis indicated that rural residence was negatively associated with dental visits in both middle-aged (odds ratio = 0.649, 95 % confidence interval: 0.447–0.884) and elderly (odds ratio = 0.604, 95 % confidence interval: 0.394–0.924) individuals.

Conclusion

The rate of dental care visits is low in the middle-aged and elderly populations of northeast China. Among sociodemographic factors, education level and income are positively associated with dental care visits, and rural residence is negatively associated with the frequency of such visits.

[Local government and public dental health services: an analysis of inequality in use]

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the use of primary and specialized public dental health services and private services. A population-based household survey was conducted in two cities of Bahia State, Brazil. Key informants provided data on socioeconomic variables and use of dental health services. Organization of the local public dental health service was ranked as worse versus better. Univariate and multivariate polytomous logistic regression was performed. Of the total of 1,290 individuals, 38.76% used private services, 33.80% used public primary care, and 17.29% used both primary care and the Center for Dental Specialties. Less use of both primary care and specialized public services was associated with lower education (OR = 1.47; 95%CI: 1.03-2.10) and worse organization of services (OR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.22-2.48), when compared to the exclusive use of primary care. The study showed inequality in the use of dental services, even when comparing more homogeneous groups, namely users of public services.

Oral health and welfare state regimes: a cross-national analysis of European countries

Very little is known about the potential relationship between welfare state regimes and oral health. This study assessed the oral health of adults in a range of European countries clustered by welfare regimes according to Ferrera's typology and the complementary Eastern type. We analysed data from Eurobarometer wave 72.3, a cross-sectional survey of 31 European countries carried out in 2009. We evaluated three self-reported oral health outcomes: edentulousness, no functional dentition (<20 natural teeth), and oral impacts on daily living. Age-standardized prevalence rates were estimated for each country and for each welfare state regime. The Scandinavian regime showed lower prevalence rates for all outcomes. For edentulousness and no functional dentition, there were higher prevalence rates in the Eastern regime but no significant differences between Anglo-Saxon, Bismarckian, and Southern regimes. The Southern regime presented a higher prevalence of oral impacts on daily living. Results by country indicated that Sweden had the lowest prevalences for edentulousness and no functional dentition, and Denmark had the lowest prevalence for oral impacts. The results suggest that Scandinavian welfare states, with more redistributive and universal welfare policies, had better population oral health. Future research should provide further insights about the potential mechanisms through which welfare-state regimes would influence oral health.

The Impact of Disasters on Populations With Health and Health Care Disparities

Context:A disaster is indiscriminate in whom it affects. Limited research has shown that the poor and medically underserved, especially in rural areas, bear an inequitable amount of the burden.

Objective:To review the literature on the combined effects of a disaster and living in an area with existing health or health care disparities on a community's health, access to health resources, and quality of life.

Methods:We performed a systematic literature review using the following search terms: disaster, health disparities, health care disparities, medically underserved, and rural. Our inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, US studies that discussed the delayed or persistent health effects of disasters in medically underserved areas.

Results:There has been extensive research published on disasters, health disparities, health care disparities, and medically underserved populations individually, but not collectively.

Conclusions:The current literature does not capture the strain of health and health care disparities before and after a disaster in medically underserved communities. Future disaster studies and policies should account for differences in health profiles and access to care before and after a disaster.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:30-38)

Social inequality in health among women in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil

The aim of this study was to assess social inequalities in health status and use of health services according to level of schooling in women. This was a cross-sectional population-based study with a sample of 508 women from 20 to 59 years of age living in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil (ISA-Camp 2008). Women with less schooling showed higher prevalence of hypertension, circulatory problems, headache, dizziness, obesity, common mental disorders, worse self-rated health, use of dental prosthesis, and visual impairment, but lower prevalence for use of eyeglasses. There were no differences between the two schooling strata in prevalence of medical visits in the previous two weeks, use of medicines in the three previous days, Pap smear, breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, hospitalizations and surgeries in the previous year, and rubella vaccination any time in life. The only significant differences were in use of dental services and mammograms. The results show social inequalities in various health indicators and equity in access to various components of the health services.

Trends in socioeconomic disparities in the utilization of dental care in Brazil and Sweden

AIMS

To describe trends in socioeconomic disparities in utilization of dental care.

METHODS

We obtained cross-sectional data from Sweden in the period 1968-2000 and from Brazil in 1986 and 2002 for 16 state capitals. The outcome was the percentage of people who reported that they had visited the dentist in the last 12 months, calculated for a higher and a lower income group and stratified by sex, age (two groups: young and adults) and dental status. Adjusted prevalence differences and prevalence ratios were produced using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

In Brazil, there was a decline in use of dental care among the 15-19 year olds in the period 1986-2002, but not among the 35-44 year olds. In Sweden, there was a decline among the young and adults between 1991 and 2000. Overall, socioeconomic disparities in use of dental services between the higher and the lower economic groups showed a decline in both countries. The reduction in disparities among young Brazilians was 1.1 percentage points per year (p < 0.01), but among the other age groups the decline was not significant (p>0.01). In the last surveys, the gap remained in both countries and age groups (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The recent decline in utilization of dental care and in the socioeconomic gap may mirror improvements in oral health. However, there are still relevant and persistent disparities in utilization of dental care in both countries, with a higher proportion of people of higher socioeconomic status visiting the dentist.