Inequality in dental care utilisation among Thai children: evidence from Thailand where universal coverage has been achieved.

AIMS: To quantify the extent of the socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care utilisation among Thai children and to examine the characteristics of dental care utilisation, after the country achieved universal coverage.
DESIGN: The data to perform analyses were taken from the nationally representative Health and Welfare Survey (HWS) and Socioeconomic Survey (SES) 2007 in Thailand. PARTICIPANTS: Data of 15,736 representative Thai children (aged below 15 years) were selected.
METHODS: Descriptive analyses were performed to reveal the features of dental care utilisation among Thai children, in addition to use the concentration index (CI) to measure socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care utilisation. Logistic regression was employed to determine inequality in dental care across socioeconomic strata.
RESULTS: The unequivocal gradient in dental care utilisation persistence among Thai children and the socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care utilisation is more concentrated among the better-off as the positive CI value (equals 0.069) emerged. Poor children, however, are more likely to utilise dental care at public facilities, particularly primary care facilities.
CONCLUSION: The evidence from Thailand, where universal coverage has been virtually achieved, provides some lesson for other countries particularly developing countries. Although the socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care utilisation among Thai children still exists, the pro-poor dental care utilisation at public facilities, particularly primary care facilities substantiate the impressive stride towards the concerted effort to reducing inequitable dental care delivery for Thai children.