Individual Determinants of Recent Use of Dental Services by Low-income Adolescents and Young Adults

Objective: To evaluate the role of the individual determinants of recent use of dental services by low-income adolescents and young adults living in the area covered by the Family Health Strategy (ESF) in the city of Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil. Methods: This investigation was a cross-sectional, exploratory, population-based study. The sample included 190 individuals aged 12 to 35 years, who answered a questionnaire on the socioeconomic conditions, perceived necessity and access to dental services. The data were analyzed by multi variate logistic regression, following a theoretical reference based on the Andersen's Behavioral Model, considering the recent dental visit as dependent variable. Results: As much as 53% of the individuals reported recent dental visits, which were associated with higher income (OR 5.59; IC95% 1.18-26.63), pain episodes in the previous months (OR 2.67; 95%IC 1.07-6.64) and dentist for regular consultations (OR 2.60; 95%IC 1.11-6.07). The results indicate inequalities of access related to the socioeconomic conditions. The reference to a regular dentist was associated with recent dental visit, which reinforces the importance of interpersonal continuity as a facilitating the access to health services. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of recent use of dental services among adolescents and young adults. The individual determinants showed to be important predictors of access to oral health services. The theoretical model confirmed social and psychosocial inequalities in the use of dental services among low-income adolescents and young adults.