Oral health coverage in the Family Health Strategy and use of dental services in adolescents in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, 2019: cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the association between the coverage of oral health teams in the Family Health Strategy (ESF-SB) and the use of dental services among adolescents aged 12 years in Mato Grosso do Sul, 2019. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, involving school-based research. The outcome was the use of dental services. Structural equation models were performed to test the association of covariates with the use of services. Results: Of the 615 participants, 74.0% used dental services in the past three years. ESF-SB coverage ≥50% was associated with greater use of public dental services [Standardized Coefficient (SC) = 0.10 – IC_95% 0.01;0.18], greater use for treatment (SC = -0.07 – IC_95% 0.17;0.01), and greater consumption of unhealthy foods (SC = 0.19 – IC_95% 0.11;0.26). Conclusion: Greater coverage of ESF-SB was associated with greater use for treatments and greater inadequate food consumption by adolescents. Oral health teams must organize access and qualify the work process.