[Access to and utilization of dental services in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: an exploratory study based on the 1998 National Household Sample Survey].

This study focused on access to and utilization of dental services in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, based on data from the 1998 National Household Sample Survey. The study population included 7,756 individuals, stratified by age (15 to 19, 35 to 44, and 65 to 74 years). Measurement of access to dental services was based on answers to the question regarding the last visit to a dentist. The answer "never visited a dentist" was interpreted as lack of access and was analyzed according to demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiological variables. The proportions of individuals who had never visited a dentist were 7.6%, 1.8%, e 2.6%, respectively for young people, young adults, and the elderly. The results suggest that low socioeconomic status was associated with lack of access to dental services, characterized by low schooling (youth and young adults), low per capita income (youth and the elderly), and family wealth as measured by number of home appliances. Health insurance coverage was inversely associated with lack of access among youth and young adults.