Maternal characteristics and treatment needs as predictors of dental health services utilisation among Mexican school children.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY 2012;
13:307-310. [PMID:
23270289]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
AIM
To determine whether maternal characteristics and treatment needs are associated with dental health services utilization (DHSU) in school children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional study in 1373 school children aged 6- 12 years in elementary schools in Campeche, Mexico collected family and sociodemographic characteristics; an oral examination was conducted. The dependent variable was DHSU in the year preceding the study.
RESULTS
DHSU prevalence was 65.5%. The variables associated (p<0.05) with DHSU in the final multivariate model were age (OR=1.27), maternal schooling (OR=1.07), mother's attitude toward oral health (OR=1.39), frequency of tooth brushing (OR=1.83), enamel defects (OR=1.55), and unmet oral health needs (moderate: OR=1.42 and high: OR=2.30).
CONCLUSION
Specific sociodemographic and maternal variables were associated with DHSU. Strategies are needed to increase appropriate and timely use of services to improve health status.
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