Factors associated with socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental services among Brazilian older adults: an Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The use of dental services is low among older adults, particularly among vulnerable or disadvantaged groups from various countries. Nonetheless, there is a gap in the literature regarding the factors that contribute to inequalities in the use of dental services. This study aimed to evaluate socioeconomic inequalities in recent and preventive use of dental services among older adults in Brazil and evaluate the factors contributing to these inequalities.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey. The dependent variables were the use of recent and preventive dental services (among those who reported using dental services within one year prior to the interview). Socioeconomic status was measured by education level [no

SUBMITTER: Bof de Andrade F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12400544 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature