Dissatisfaction with dental services among dentate and edentulous elderly Brazilians: A multilevel analysis

Abstract

The scope of this study was to evaluate dissatisfaction with dental services among dentate and edentulous elderly Brazilians and its association with contextual and individual variables. The data from the National Oral Health Survey conducted in 2010 and contextual variables related to cities were used. Descriptive, bivariate and multilevel analysis was conducted among 1,989 elderly individuals. Of these, 11.2% of dentate and 22.1% of edentulous elderly people were dissatisfied. Among the dentate individuals, dissatisfaction was associated with contextual variables (location of municipality, human development index, GINI Index, the presence of Dental Specialty Centers and the coverage of oral health in public service) and persons related to health care and oral health conditions. For the edentulous individuals, no associated contextual variables were identified. Only the motive for the use of the service and satisfaction with teeth and mouth were associated with dissatisfaction with dental services. A considerable prevalence of dissatisfaction with the services was identified, being higher among edentulous elderly Brazilians. Among dentate elderly Brazilians, an association with contextual variables was detected.