Desigualdades socioeconómicas en la utilización de servicios de salud bucal: estudio en escolares mexicanos de 6 a 12 años de edad

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between socioeconomic indicators and use of dental services in a sample of 3,048 Mexican schoolchildren. The dependent variable use of dental services and independent variables were collected through a questionnaire addressed to mothers. To determine oral health needs, a clinical oral examination was performed. The adjusted associations were evaluated using polytomous logistic regression. Adjusted by gender, the categories associated with both preventive and curative services were age, greater frequency of brushing, earlier initiation of brushing, healthcare coverage, and better socioeconomic status. In addition, for preventive services only, use of services was associated with enrolment in private school, and for curative services only, familys possession of an automobile and having moderate to high oral health needs. The results suggest the existence of socioeconomic inequalities in the use of both preventive and curative dental services by Mexican children.