Oral health and access to dental care in rural quilombola communities of Pará

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: To analyze oral health conditions and access to dental services among quilombola communities in Irituia, Pará, Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study with 278 participants. Sociodemographic characteristics, access to dental services, and clinical oral health indicators were assessed, including dental caries, number of missing teeth, edentulism, and denture use. Age was categorized into 10–19, 20–59, and ≥60 years. Associations between sociodemographic variables and time since the last dental visit were examined using the chi-square test. Result: Dental caries was highly prevalent across all age groups, with greater severity among adults and older adults. Tooth loss increased progressively with age, and edentulism occurred almost exclusively among individuals aged ≥60 years. Significant associations were found between age group, educational level, marital status, and time since the last dental visit. Adults, older adults, individuals with lower schooling, and those without a partner were more likely to have gone more than one year without a dental consultation, indicating poorer access to care. Conclusion: Quilombola communities in Irituia experience marked oral health inequalities, with cumulative disease burden across the life course and limited access to dental services, particularly among adults and older adults. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies that address social vulnerabilities and territorial barriers to oral health care.