Racial Inequalities in Oral Health: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine associations between race/skin color and the use of dental services and self-rated oral health. A cross-sectional population study analyzing data on adults who participated in the 2013/2014 Campinas Health Survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, variables related to dental visits, access to dental care, and subjective oral health conditions were evaluated in relation to race/color. The association between each variable and color/race was investigated using the χ2 test with the Rao–Scott correction (p-value = 0.05). Multivariate Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios for age, schooling, income, and living conditions. The results revealed that assessments of one's oral health status as poor (PR = 1.26), assessments of the dental care received as poor (PR = 1.68), and dental appointments for the purposes of extraction (PR = 1.13) were more prevalent in the black population, demonstrating independent associations with race. Associations between race and dental appointments for routine checkups, appointments for urgent care, the last appointment more than two years earlier, difficult access to dental care, difficulty eating, and being ashamed of smiling due to one’s dental condition were explained by socioeconomic status. The results point to inequality in oral health and the need to eliminate racism in oral health, which remains pronounced. It is hoped that bringing this situation to light will help our society move forward in the fight against racism in Brazil.