Biomedical subjects

Tatiana Pegoretti

Publications and source records attributed to Tatiana Pegoretti.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

City-level gender differentials in the prevalence of dental caries and restorative dental treatment.

This study assesses gender differentials in the distribution of dental caries and restorative treatment at the city level in order to discuss gender inequities in health. We retrieved data for caries prevalence and dental service utilisation by 11- and 12-year-old girls and boys in 131 towns in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 1998. We also gathered aggregate population data for these towns, and information already held by the health authority regarding the provision of dental services. Results of data analysis indicated that girls presented higher caries indices in permanent teeth than boys of the same age, concurrent with a higher utilisation of dental care. When studying aggregate data at the city level, we gathered evidence reinforcing the hypothesis that the higher prevalence of caries in girls is attributable to their earlier eruption of permanent teeth, with no significant association between this excess and indices of socio-economic status at the city level. However, indices assessing the discrepant incorporation of dental services between genders were higher in towns with a poorer profile of socio-economic status. We also observed that towns whose public health service was more effective in providing dental care presented a more equitable gender distribution of dental services. Public resources destined to dental assistance contributed to reducing inequities in oral health by allowing an incorporation of restorative dental treatment more equitably distributed between girls and boys.

Brazil↗

PubMed2003

Ethnic disparities in the prevalence of dental caries and restorative dental treatment in Brazilian children.

AIM: This study assesses disparities in the oral health status of Brazilian black and white children. PARTICIPANTS: 11- and 12-year-old schoolchildren living in 131 cities of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Spatial data analysis of city-level indexes of oral health, socio-economic status and provision of dental services. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ethnic ratios of the DMFT and the care index. RESULTS: White children had higher indexes of caries in permanent teeth than their black counterparts, concurrent with a higher utilisation of dental attendance. The gap of caries prevalence between black and white children was reduced in cities with a better profile of socio-economic status. Cities with higher per-capita yearly budget, expenditure in health, and provision of public dental services presented reduced indications of ethnic inequality in dental care. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of conditions associated with a lower ethnic discrepancy in the risk of caries and in the incorporation of dental services can be used to design socially appropriate dental services. An improved community dental service, higher public expenditure in health and per-capita municipal yearly budget contribute effectively to reducing inequities in oral health by allowing an incorporation of restorative dental treatment more equitably distributed between black and white children.

Black People↗

PubMed2002

Spatial analysis to identify differentials in dental needs by area-based measures.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between tooth decay and dental treatment needs in 5-12-year-old schoolchildren in São Paulo with area-level indicators of social development. METHODS: The present study refers to a representative sample of children from the city of São Paulo, Brazil, comprising 2491 girls and boys attending public and private schools in different areas of the city. The assessment of caries and treatment needs followed the international methodological standards prescribed by the World Health Organization. We used spatial data analysis to describe epidemiological measures distributed by small areas, and to explore hypotheses of ecological association between caries indexes and indicators of social development. RESULTS: Schoolchildren in central districts were less affected by tooth decay and presented fewer dental treatment needs when compared to those in peripheral deprived areas. At the spatial level, average family income, unemployment rate, household overcrowding, and an index of inequality of income distribution were significantly correlated with variables measuring children's caries experience. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneous distribution of caries indexes by areas of the city indicates higher levels of dental decay in areas of social deprivation. The delimitation of areas with increased risk of caries and greater dental treatment needs should be helpful to public health services for the formulation of policies and the targeting of resources to address these problems.

Brazil↗