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

Abstract

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.