Acesso a serviços odontológicos entre gestantes que realizam pré-natal nas ESF de Governador Valadares-MG

Abstract

Access to dental services can be influenced by external and internal factors related to the service or the user. During pregnancy, ensuring access can contribute positively to maintain the health of the pregnant woman and her baby. The objective of this study was to determine the level of access to dental services and associated factors among pregnant women treated in primary care. In this cross-sectional study research developed between September 2023 and October 2024, data were obtained from questionnaires (pre-tested) and oral clinical examination after training and calibration. Access was categorized in present and absent. Descriptive and bivariate inferential analyses were performed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact or linear trend tests. A total of 77 pregnant women participated. Access to dental consultations in the last year was 33,8%. Access presence was associated with higher income (PR 2.13 CI95% [1.06:4.30]), higher education level (PR 6.60 CI95% [1.95:45.89]), not waiting or talking to many people to schedule an appointment (PR 2.95 CI95% [1.40:6.21]), having information about the benefits of breastfeeding for baby development (PR 3.67 CI95% [1.27:10.59]). The lowest chance of access to dental consultation was among pregnant women who had their last visit to the dentist more than 12 months ago (PR 0.21 95%CI [0.071:0.62]). Access to the dentist in the last year was low and was associated with socioeconomic factors, last dental visit and health information.