Dental Therapists in the United States: Health Equity, Advancing.

BACKGROUND: Dental therapists (DTs) are primary care dental providers, used globally, and were introduced in the United States (US) in 2005. DTs have now been adopted in 13 states and several Tribal nations. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to qualitatively examine the drivers and outcomes of the US dental therapy movement through a health equity lens, including community engagement, implementation and dissemination, and access to oral health care. METHODS: The study compiled a comprehensive document library on the dental therapy movement including literature, grant documents, media and press, and gray literature. Key stakeholder interviews were conducted across the spectrum of engagement in the movement. Dedoose software was used for qualitative coding. Themes were assessed within a holistic model of oral health equity. FINDINGS: Health equity is a driving force for dental therapy adoption. Community engagement has been evident in diverse statewide coalitions. National accreditation standards for education programs that can be deployed in 3 years without an advanced degree reduces educational barriers for improving workforce diversity. Safe, high-quality care, improvements in access, and patient acceptability have been well documented for DTs in practice. CONCLUSION: Having firmly taken root politically, the impact of the dental therapy movement in the US, and the long-term health impacts, will depend on the path of implementation and a sustained commitment to the health equity principle.

Presença de Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas e sua relação com a realização de exodontias na rede de atenção de saúde bucal no Brasil / Presence of Specialized Dentistry Centers and the relationship with dental extractions in the oral healthcare network in Brazil / Presencia de Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas y su relación con la realización de exodoncias en la red de atención de salud bucal en Brasil

Resumo: Objetivou-se avaliar a associação entre presença de Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) e a proporção de exodontias em relação ao total de procedimentos odontológicos em serviços públicos do Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, em que foram avaliados dados sociodemográficos, dos serviços de saúde bucal e produção ambulatorial de 5.333 municípios nos biênios de 2000/2001 e 2015/2016. A principal variável de exposição foi a presença de CEO, e o desfecho a média nacional da proporção de exodontias em relação ao número de procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos. Foram realizadas análises de interação e regressão múltipla usando modelo binomial com função de ligação logito. A média nacional da proporção de exodontias em relação aos procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos foi 27,07% e 15,11% em 2000/2001 e 2015/2016, respectivamente. Na análise de interação entre a presença de CEO e a cobertura superior a 80% de equipes de saúde bucal (ESB), houve menores proporções de exodontias em relação aos procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos (OR = 0,71; IC95%: 0,71-0,72). Na análise de regressão múltipla, municípios com Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano entre 0,6-0,7 (OR = 0,77; IC95%: 0,77-0,77), Produto Interno Bruto per capita maior que 20 mil Reais (OR = 0,45; IC95%: 0,45-045) e maior população residente em zona urbana (OR = 0,72; IC95%: 0,72-0,72) apresentaram menor proporção de exodontias em relação aos procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos em 2015/2016. Conclui-se que ocorreram menores proporções de exodontias em relação aos procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos em municípios com ao menos um CEO e com mais de 80% de cobertura de ESB, o que aponta que municípios com Rede de Atenção à Saúde Bucal consolidada têm melhor desempenho na oferta de cuidados odontológicos.

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the association between the presence of Specialized Dentistry Centers and dental extractions as a proportion of all dental procedures in public services in Brazil. This was an ecological study that assessed sociodemographic data, oral health services, and outpatient production in 5,333 municipalities in 2000-2001 and 2015-2016. The principal exposure variable was the presence of Specialized Dentistry Centers, and the outcome was the mean national proportion of dental extractions in relation to all preventive and curative dental procedures. Interaction and multiple regression analyses were performed using a binomial model with log link function. The mean national proportions of dental extractions in relation to preventive and curative dental procedures were 27.07% and 15.11% in 2000-2001 and 2015-2016, respectively. In the analysis of interaction between the presence of Specialized Dentistry Centers and coverage greater than 80% by the oral health teams, there were lower proportions of dental extractions in relation to preventive and curative dental procedures (OR = 0.71; 95%CI: 0.71-0.72). In the multiple regression analysis, municipalities with Human Development Index of 0.6-0.7 (OR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.77-0.77), annual per capita GDP greater than BRL 20,000 (OR = 0.45; 95%CI: 0.45-045), and proportionally higher urban populations (OR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.72-0.72) showed fewer dental extractions as a proportion of all preventive and curative dental procedures in 2015-2016. In conclusion, there were lower proportions of tooth extractions in municipalities with at least one Specialized Dentistry Center and with a coverage of greater than 80% by the oral health teams, highlighting that municipalities with a consolidated Oral Health Care Network present better performance in the supply of dental care.

Resumen: Este trabajo tuvo el objetivo de evaluar la asociación entre la presencia de Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) y su proporción de exodoncias, en relación con el total de procedimientos odontológicos en los servicios públicos de Brasil. Se trata de un estudio ecológico, en que se evaluaron datos sociodemográficos, servicios de salud bucal y atención ambulatoria en 5.333 municipios, durante los bienios de 2000/2001 y 2015/2016. La principal variable de exposición fue la presencia de CEO y el resultado la media nacional de la proporción de exodoncias, respecto al número de procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos. Se realizó tanto un análisis de interacción, como de regresión múltiple, usando un modelo binomial con función de vinculación logit. La media nacional de la proporción de exodoncias, en relación con los procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos, fue 27,07% y 15,11% en 2000/2001 y 2015/2016, respectivamente. En el análisis de interacción entre la presencia de CEO y la cobertura superior a un 80% de equipos de salud bucal (ESB) hubo menores proporciones de exodoncias, en relación con los procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos (OR = 0,71; IC95%: 0,71-0,72). En el análisis de regresión múltiple, los municipios con un Índice de Desarrollo Humano entre 0,6-0,7 (OR = 0,77; IC95%: 0,77-0,77), PIB per cápita mayor que BRL 20.000 (OR = 0,45; IC95%: 0,45-045) y mayor población residente en zona urbana (OR = 0,72; IC95%: 0,72-0,72) presentaron una menor proporción de exodoncias, respecto a los procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos en 2015/2016. Se concluye que hubo menores proporciones de exodoncias, en lo que respecta a los procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos en municipios con al menos un CEO, y con más de un 80% de cobertura de ESB, lo que apunta a que los municipios con una Red de Atención a la Salud Bucal consolidada tienen un mejor desempeño en la oferta de cuidados odontológicos.

Analysis of the supply of specialized oral health care services in the Brazilian National Health System: Brazil, 2014. / Análise da oferta de serviços na atenção especializada em saúde bucal no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2014.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the availability of public specialized dental care services at Dental Specialties Centers (CEO) in Brazil in 2014. METHODS: secondary data on the CEO ratio and dental surgeon ratio were analyzed by population as well as the adequacy of the quantity of complete dental consulting rooms per CEO type, the adequacy of the ratio between the working hours of dental auxiliaries /technicians and those of dental surgeons and the adequacy of the availability of recommended minimum specialties. Possible statistical differences between macro-regions were verified. RESULTS: we found a ratio of one CEO per 217,797 inhabitants and one dental surgeon per 26,811 inhabitants; 97% of CEOs had the recommended number of dental consulting rooms; 26% had equivalent working hours between dental auxiliaries /technicians and dental surgeons; 60% offered the recommended minimum specialties. CONCLUSION: there were limitations in the provision of National Health System specialized oral health care services as well as regional differences.

[Presence of Specialized Dentistry Centers and the relationship with dental extractions in the oral healthcare network in Brazil]. / Presença de Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas e sua relação com a realização de exodontias na rede de atenção de saúde bucal no Brasil.

This study aimed to assess the association between the presence of Specialized Dentistry Centers and dental extractions as a proportion of all dental procedures in public services in Brazil. This was an ecological study that assessed sociodemographic data, oral health services, and outpatient production in 5,333 municipalities in 2000-2001 and 2015-2016. The principal exposure variable was the presence of Specialized Dentistry Centers, and the outcome was the mean national proportion of dental extractions in relation to all preventive and curative dental procedures. Interaction and multiple regression analyses were performed using a binomial model with log link function. The mean national proportions of dental extractions in relation to preventive and curative dental procedures were 27.07% and 15.11% in 2000-2001 and 2015-2016, respectively. In the analysis of interaction between the presence of Specialized Dentistry Centers and coverage greater than 80% by the oral health teams, there were lower proportions of dental extractions in relation to preventive and curative dental procedures (OR = 0.71; 95%CI: 0.71-0.72). In the multiple regression analysis, municipalities with Human Development Index of 0.6-0.7 (OR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.77-0.77), annual per capita GDP greater than BRL 20,000 (OR = 0.45; 95%CI: 0.45-045), and proportionally higher urban populations (OR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.72-0.72) showed fewer dental extractions as a proportion of all preventive and curative dental procedures in 2015-2016. In conclusion, there were lower proportions of tooth extractions in municipalities with at least one Specialized Dentistry Center and with a coverage of greater than 80% by the oral health teams, highlighting that municipalities with a consolidated Oral Health Care Network present better performance in the supply of dental care.

Objetivou-se avaliar a associação entre presença de Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) e a proporção de exodontias em relação ao total de procedimentos odontológicos em serviços públicos do Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, em que foram avaliados dados sociodemográficos, dos serviços de saúde bucal e produção ambulatorial de 5.333 municípios nos biênios de 2000/2001 e 2015/2016. A principal variável de exposição foi a presença de CEO, e o desfecho a média nacional da proporção de exodontias em relação ao número de procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos. Foram realizadas análises de interação e regressão múltipla usando modelo binomial com função de ligação logito. A média nacional da proporção de exodontias em relação aos procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos foi 27,07% e 15,11% em 2000/2001 e 2015/2016, respectivamente. Na análise de interação entre a presença de CEO e a cobertura superior a 80% de equipes de saúde bucal (ESB), houve menores proporções de exodontias em relação aos procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos (OR = 0,71; IC95%: 0,71-0,72). Na análise de regressão múltipla, municípios com Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano entre 0,6-0,7 (OR = 0,77; IC95%: 0,77-0,77), Produto Interno Bruto per capita maior que 20 mil Reais (OR = 0,45; IC95%: 0,45-045) e maior população residente em zona urbana (OR = 0,72; IC95%: 0,72-0,72) apresentaram menor proporção de exodontias em relação aos procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos em 2015/2016. Conclui-se que ocorreram menores proporções de exodontias em relação aos procedimentos odontológicos preventivos e curativos em municípios com ao menos um CEO e com mais de 80% de cobertura de ESB, o que aponta que municípios com Rede de Atenção à Saúde Bucal consolidada têm melhor desempenho na oferta de cuidados odontológicos.

Este trabajo tuvo el objetivo de evaluar la asociación entre la presencia de Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) y su proporción de exodoncias, en relación con el total de procedimientos odontológicos en los servicios públicos de Brasil. Se trata de un estudio ecológico, en que se evaluaron datos sociodemográficos, servicios de salud bucal y atención ambulatoria en 5.333 municipios, durante los bienios de 2000/2001 y 2015/2016. La principal variable de exposición fue la presencia de CEO y el resultado la media nacional de la proporción de exodoncias, respecto al número de procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos. Se realizó tanto un análisis de interacción, como de regresión múltiple, usando un modelo binomial con función de vinculación logit. La media nacional de la proporción de exodoncias, en relación con los procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos, fue 27,07% y 15,11% en 2000/2001 y 2015/2016, respectivamente. En el análisis de interacción entre la presencia de CEO y la cobertura superior a un 80% de equipos de salud bucal (ESB) hubo menores proporciones de exodoncias, en relación con los procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos (OR = 0,71; IC95%: 0,71-0,72). En el análisis de regresión múltiple, los municipios con un Índice de Desarrollo Humano entre 0,6-0,7 (OR = 0,77; IC95%: 0,77-0,77), PIB per cápita mayor que BRL 20.000 (OR = 0,45; IC95%: 0,45-045) y mayor población residente en zona urbana (OR = 0,72; IC95%: 0,72-0,72) presentaron una menor proporción de exodoncias, respecto a los procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos en 2015/2016. Se concluye que hubo menores proporciones de exodoncias, en lo que respecta a los procedimientos odontológicos preventivos y curativos en municipios con al menos un CEO, y con más de un 80% de cobertura de ESB, lo que apunta a que los municipios con una Red de Atención a la Salud Bucal consolidada tienen un mejor desempeño en la oferta de cuidados odontológicos.

Curative procedures of oral health and structural characteristics of primary dental care.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the provision of clinical dental care, by means of the main curative procedures recommended in Primary Health Care, is associated with team structural characteristics, considering the presence of a minimum set of equipment, instrument, and supplies in Brazil's primary health care services. METHODS: A cross-sectional exploratory study based on data collected from 18,114 primary healthcare services with dental health teams in Brazil, in 2014. The outcome was created from the confirmation of five clinical procedures performed by the dentist, accounting for the presence of minimum equipment, instrument, and supplies to carry them out. Covariables were related to structural characteristics. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to obtain crude and adjusted prevalence ratios, with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 1,190 (6.5%) dental health teams did not present the minimum equipment to provide clinical dental care and only 2,498 (14.8%) had all the instrument and supplies needed and provided the five curative procedures assessed. There was a positive association between the outcome and the composition of dental health teams, higher workload, performing analysis of health condition, and monitoring of oral health indicators. Additionally, the dental health teams that planned and programmed oral health actions with the primary care team monthly provided the procedures more frequently. Dentists with better employment status, career plans, graduation in public health or those who underwent permanent education activities provided the procedures more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: A relevant number of Primary Health Care services did not have the infrastructure to provide clinical dental care. However, better results were found in dental health teams with oral health technicians, with higher workload and that plan their activities, as well as in those that employed dentists with better working relationships, who had dentists with degrees in public health and who underwent permanent education activities.

Curative procedures of oral health and structural characteristics of primary dental care

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate if the provision of clinical dental care, by means of the main curative procedures recommended in Primary Health Care, is associated with team structural characteristics, considering the presence of a minimum set of equipment, instrument, and supplies in Brazil's primary health care services. METHODS A cross-sectional exploratory study based on data collected from 18,114 primary healthcare services with dental health teams in Brazil, in 2014. The outcome was created from the confirmation of five clinical procedures performed by the dentist, accounting for the presence of minimum equipment, instrument, and supplies to carry them out. Covariables were related to structural characteristics. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to obtain crude and adjusted prevalence ratios, with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS A total of 1,190 (6.5%) dental health teams did not present the minimum equipment to provide clinical dental care and only 2,498 (14.8%) had all the instrument and supplies needed and provided the five curative procedures assessed. There was a positive association between the outcome and the composition of dental health teams, higher workload, performing analysis of health condition, and monitoring of oral health indicators. Additionally, the dental health teams that planned and programmed oral health actions with the primary care team monthly provided the procedures more frequently. Dentists with better employment status, career plans, graduation in public health or those who underwent permanent education activities provided the procedures more frequently. CONCLUSIONS A relevant number of Primary Health Care services did not have the infrastructure to provide clinical dental care. However, better results were found in dental health teams with oral health technicians, with higher workload and that plan their activities, as well as in those that employed dentists with better working relationships, who had dentists with degrees in public health and who underwent permanent education activities.

Dental Therapists as New Oral Health Practitioners: Increasing Access for Underserved Populations.

The development of dental therapy in the U.S. grew from a desire to find a workforce solution for increasing access to oral health care. Worldwide, the research that supports the value of dental therapy is considerable. Introduction of educational programs in the U.S. drew on the experiences of programs in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with Alaska tribal communities introducing dental health aide therapists in 2003 and Minnesota authorizing dental therapy in 2009. Currently, two additional states have authorized dental therapy, and two additional tribal communities are pursuing the use of dental therapists. In all cases, the care provided by dental therapists is focused on communities and populations who experience oral health care disparities and have historically had difficulties in accessing care. This article examines the development and implementation of the dental therapy profession in the U.S. An in-depth look at dental therapy programs in Minnesota and the practice of dental therapy in Minnesota provides insight into the early implementation of this emerging profession. Initial results indicate that the addition of dental therapists to the oral health care team is increasing access to quality oral health care for underserved populations. As evidence of dental therapy's success continues to grow, mid-level dental workforce legislation is likely to be introduced by oral health advocates in other states. This article was written as part of the project "Advancing Dental Education in the 21st Century."

Barriers and facilitators in providing oral health care to nursing home residents, from the perspective of care aides-a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Unregulated care aides provide up to 80 % of direct resident care in nursing homes. They have little formal training, manage high workloads, frequently experience responsive behaviours from residents, and are at high risk for burnout. This affects quality of resident care, including quality of oral health care. Poor quality of oral health care in nursing homes has severe consequences for residents and the health care system. Improving quality of oral health care requires tailoring interventions to identified barriers and facilitators if these interventions are to be effective. Identifying barriers and facilitators from the care aide's perspective is crucial. METHODS: We will systematically search the databases MEDLINE, Embase, Evidence Based Reviews-Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Web of Science. We will include qualitative and quantitative research studies and systematic reviews published in English that assess barriers and facilitators, as perceived by care aides, to providing oral health care to nursing home residents. Two reviewers will independently screen studies for eligibility. We will also search by hand the contents of key journals, publications of key authors, and reference lists of all the studies included. Two reviewers will independently assess the methodological quality of the studies included using four validated checklists appropriate for different research designs. Discrepancies at any stage of review will be resolved by consensus. We will conduct a thematic analysis of barriers and facilitators using all studies included. If quantitative studies are sufficiently homogeneous, we will conduct random-effects meta-analyses of the associations of barriers and facilitators with each other, with care aide practices in resident oral health care, and with residents' oral health. If quantitative study results cannot be pooled, we will present a narrative synthesis of the results. Finally, we will compare quantitative findings to qualitative studies to identify hypothesized associations or effects not yet tested quantitatively. DISCUSSION: This review will advance the development of effective strategies for improving quality of oral health care and highlight gaps in research on barriers and facilitators to providing oral health care to nursing home residents, as perceived by care aides. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015032454.

Associação entre a cobertura de equipes de saúde bucal na saúde da família e o aumento na produção ambulatorial dos municípios brasileiros, 1999 e 2011 / Association between coverage by oral health teams in the family health and the increase in dental care output in Brazilian municipalities, 1999 and 2011 / Asociación entre cobertura de equipos de salud bucal en salud de la familia y aumento de la producción ambulatoria en municipios brasileños, 1999 y 2011

Resumo Analisar a associação entre a cobertura populacional de equipes de saúde bucal da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) e a diferença nas taxas de uso de serviços odontológicos públicos nos municípios brasileiros em 1999 e 2011. A amostra contou com 5.507 municípios nos 2 anos. Foram utilizados dados de sistemas de informação oficiais e se procedeu à regressão logística para modelar o incremento nas taxas de procedimentos. Observou-se que 85% dos municípios possuíam equipes de saúde bucal da ESF em 2011 e houve aumentos nas taxas de recursos físicos, humanos e financeiros. A produção odontológica aumentou 49,5% no período. Os municípios que incorporaram mais que 3 equipes de saúde bucal/10 mil habitantes tiveram mais chances de aumentar as taxas de procedimentos coletivos (OR = 1,61; IC95%: 1,23-2,11), preventivos (OR = 2,05; IC95%: 1,56-2,69), restaurações (OR = 2,07; IC95%: 1,58-2,71) e extrações (OR = 1,53; IC95%: 1,19-1,97), após controle por fatores sociodemográficos e relacionados à variação de recursos físicos, humanos e financeiros. A incorporação de equipes de saúde bucal à ESF parece mais efetiva para o aumento de indicadores de uso de serviços odontológicos.

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the association between population coverage by oral health teams under the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the difference in 1999 and 2011 in rates of use of public dental services in Brazilian municipalities. The sample included all 5,507 municipalities in both years. Data were used from government information systems to perform logistic regression for modeling the increase in procedure rates. By 2011, 85% of Brazil’s municipalities had oral health teams under the FHS and there had been an increase in infrastructure, human and financial resources. Dental care output increased 49.5% from 1999 to 2011. Municipalities that incorporated more than 3 oral health teams per 10,000 inhabitants showed higher odds of increasing their rates of community procedures (OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.23-2.11), prophylactic procedures (OR = 2.05, CI95%: 1.56-2.69), restorations (OR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.58-2.71), and extractions (OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.19-1.97) after adjusting for socio-demographic factors and variations in physical, human and financial resources. The incorporation of oral health teams into the FHS appears more effective for increasing indicators of the use of dental services.

Resumen Analizar la asociación entre la cobertura de equipos de salud bucal en la Estrategia Salud de la Familia (ESF) y el cambio de tasa de uso de servicios dentales en los municipios brasileños en 1999 y 2011. La muestra estuvo constituida por los 5.507 municipios durante los dos años. Se utilizaron datos de sistemas de información oficiales y se procedió a gestionarlos mediante regresión logística para modelar el aumento en las tasas. Se observó que el 85% de los municipios tenían equipos de salud bucal en 2011 y hubo aumentos en las tasas de los recursos físicos, humanos y financieros. La producción dental aumentó un 49,5% interanualmente. Los municipios que han incorporado > 3 equipos de salud bucal/10 mil habitantes tenían más probabilidades de aumentar las tasas de los procedimientos colectivos (OR = 1,61; IC95%: 1.23-2,11), preventivos (OR = 2,05; IC95%: 1.56-2,69), restauraciones (OR = 2,07; IC95%: 1,58-2,71) y extracciones (OR = 1,53; IC95%: 1,19-1,97), después de ajustar por factores sociodemográficos y la variación de recursos físicos, financieros y humanos. La incorporación de equipos de salud bucal parece más eficiente para aumentar el acceso de la población.

Time trends in socio-economic inequalities in the lack of access to dental services among children in Spain 1987-2011.

INTRODUCTION: Adult oral health is predicted by oral health in childhood. Prevention improves oral health in childhood and, consequently in adulthood, so substantial cost savings can be derived from prevention. The burden of oral disease is particularly high for disadvantaged and poor population groups in both developing and developed countries. Therefore, an appropriate and egalitarian access to dental care becomes a desirable objective if children's dental health is to be promoted irrespective of socioeconomic status. The aim of this research is to analyse inequalities in the lack of access to dental care services for children in the Spanish National Health System by socio-economic group over the period 1987-2011. METHODS: Pooled data from eight editions of the Spanish National Health Survey for the years 1987-2011, as well as contextual data on state dental programmes are used. Logistic regressions are used to examine the related factors to the probability of not having ever visited the dentist among children between 6 and 14 years old. Our lack of access variable pays particular attention to the socioeconomic level of children's household. RESULTS: The mean probability of having never been to the dentist falls considerably from 49.5% in 1987 to 8.4% in 2011. Analysis by socioeconomic level indicates that, in 1987, the probability of not having ever gone to the dentist is more than two times higher for children in the unskilled manual social class than for those in the upper non-manual social class (odds ratio 2.35). And this difference is not reduced significantly throughout the period analysed, rather it increases as in 1993 (odds of 2.39) and 2006 (odds of 3.03) to end in 2011 slightly below than in 1987 (odds ratio 1.80). CONCLUSION: There has been a reduction in children's lack of access to dentists in Spain over the period 1987-2011. However, this reduction has not corrected the socioeconomic inequalities in children's access to dentists in Spain.

[Association between coverage by oral health teams in the family health and the increase in dental care output in Brazilian municipalities, 1999 and 2011]. / Associação entre a cobertura de equipes de saúde bucal na saúde da família e o aumento na produção ambulatorial dos municípios brasileiros, 1999 e 2011.

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between population coverage by oral health teams under the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the difference in 1999 and 2011 in rates of use of public dental services in Brazilian municipalities. The sample included all 5,507 municipalities in both years. Data were used from government information systems to perform logistic regression for modeling the increase in procedure rates. By 2011, 85% of Brazil's municipalities had oral health teams under the FHS and there had been an increase in infrastructure, human and financial resources. Dental care output increased 49.5% from 1999 to 2011. Municipalities that incorporated more than 3 oral health teams per 10,000 inhabitants showed higher odds of increasing their rates of community procedures (OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.23-2.11), prophylactic procedures (OR = 2.05, CI95%: 1.56-2.69), restorations (OR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.58-2.71), and extractions (OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.19-1.97) after adjusting for socio-demographic factors and variations in physical, human and financial resources. The incorporation of oral health teams into the FHS appears more effective for increasing indicators of the use of dental services.

Operating characteristics of residential care communities, by community bed size: United States, 2012.

In 2012, the majority of residential care communities had 4­25 beds, yet 71% of residents lived in communities with more than 50 beds. A lower percentage of communities with 4­25 beds were chain-affiliated, nonprofit, and in operation 10 years or more, compared with communities with 26­50 and more than 50 beds. Dementia-exclusive care or dementia care units were more common as community size increased. A higher percentage of communities with more than 50 beds screened for cognitive impairment and offered dementia-specific programming compared with communities with 4­25 and 26­50 beds. A higher percentage of communities with more than 50 beds screened for depression compared with communities with 4­25 beds. Compared with communities with 4­25 beds, a higher percentage of communities with 26­50 beds and more than 50 beds provided therapeutic, hospice, mental health, and dental services; but a lower percentage of communities with more than 50 beds provided skilled nursing services than did smaller communities. This report presents national estimates of residential care communities, using data from the first wave of NSLTCP. This brief profile of residential care communities provides useful information to policymakers, providers, researchers, and consumer advocates as they plan to meet the needs of an aging population. The findings also highlight the diversity of residential care communities across different sizes. Corresponding state estimates and their standard errors for the national figures in this data brief can be found on the NSLTCP website at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsltcp/ nsltcp_products.htm. These national and state estimates establish a baseline for monitoring trends among residents living in residential care.

Perceptions of oral health, preventive care, and care-seeking behaviors among rural adolescents.

BACKGROUND: An asymmetrical oral disease burden is endured by certain population subgroups, particularly children and adolescents. Reducing oral health disparities requires understanding multiple oral health perspectives, including those of adolescents. This qualitative study explores oral health perceptions and dental care behaviors among rural adolescents. METHODS: Semistructured individual interviews with 100 rural, minority, low socioeconomic status adolescents revealed their current perceptions of oral health and dental care access. Respondents age ranged from 12 to 18 years. The sample was 80% black and 52% male. RESULTS: Perceived threat from dental disease was low. Adolescents perceived regular brushing and flossing as superseding the need for preventive care. Esthetic reasons were most often cited as reasons to seek dental care. Difficulties accessing dental care include finances, transportation, fear, issues with Medicaid coverage and parental responsibility. In general, adolescents and their parents are in need of information regarding the importance of preventive dental care. CONCLUSIONS: Findings illuminate barriers to dental care faced by low-income rural adolescents and counter public perceptions of government-sponsored dental care programs as being "free" or without cost. The importance of improved oral health knowledge, better access to care, and school-based dental care is discussed.

Expanding public coverage for dental services: pathway to improvements or hollow promise?

Growth in public sector dental benefits following passage of the are Affordable Care Act extends a national trend of expanding publicly funded benefits program. This paper contrasts the performance of California's Medicaid dental program with progress in other states, outlines major reasons for performance gaps, raises concerns about recent policymakers' decisions and questions whether expanding coverage without addressing long-standing shortcomings represents a step forward or a catalyst deterioration and untoward consequences for millions.

[Evaluation of dental treatment impact in a northwestern Mexican school children population]. / Evaluación del impacto del tratamiento odontológico en una población escolar del noroeste de México.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate through functional teeth index, the impact in schoolchildren in communities with and without dental community support. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in communities with dental care provided by dental clinics of Sinaloa State University. The study sample was 2,083 schoolchildren. We used the criteria proposed by WHO for the index of decayed, missing-teeth (DMFT) for permanent dentition, index for prima- ry teeth (dmft) and the rate of functional teeth (RFT). For bivariate analysis, the nonparametric tests Pearson f and Mann-Whitney U were used. RESULTS: The comparisons of DMFT (0.20) and RFT (13.95) of children with and DMFT (0.43) and RFT (14.82) of children without community dental support showed statistical significant difference (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in DMFT and RFT between samples with and without community dental support (p < 0.05). The age showed a statistically significant difference between the DMFT and dmft (p < 0.05). Primary dentition required more dental care than permanent dentition. There was access for dental treatment, but it is not used for the population. CONCLUSIONS: The RFT provided precise information than DMFT, mainly due to register the changes of actions focused to recover the teeth function in the oral cavity.

Reducing Alaska Native paediatric oral health disparities: a systematic review of oral health interventions and a case study on multilevel strategies to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake.

BACKGROUND: Tooth decay is the most common paediatric disease and there is a serious paediatric tooth decay epidemic in Alaska Native communities. When untreated, tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, systemic health problems, hospitalisations and in rare cases death, as well as school absenteeism, poor grades and low quality-of-life. The extent to which population-based oral health interventions have been conducted in Alaska Native paediatric populations is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of oral health interventions aimed at Alaska Native children below age 18 and to present a case study and conceptual model on multilevel intervention strategies aimed at reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake among Alaska Native children. DESIGN: Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement, the terms "Alaska Native", "children" and "oral health" were used to search Medline, Embase, Web of Science, GoogleScholar and health foundation websites (1970-2012) for relevant clinical trials and evaluation studies. RESULTS: Eighty-five studies were found in Medline, Embase and Web of Science databases and there were 663 hits in GoogleScholar. A total of 9 publications were included in the qualitative review. These publications describe 3 interventions that focused on: reducing paediatric tooth decay by educating families and communities; providing dental chemotherapeutics to pregnant women; and training mid-level dental care providers. While these approaches have the potential to improve the oral health of Alaska Native children, there are unique challenges regarding intervention acceptability, reach and sustainability. A case study and conceptual model are presented on multilevel strategies to reduce SSB intake among Alaska Native children. CONCLUSIONS: Few oral health interventions have been tested within Alaska Native communities. Community-centred multilevel interventions are promising approaches to improve the oral and systemic health of Alaska Native children. Future investigators should evaluate the feasibility of implementing multilevel interventions and policies within Alaska Native communities as a way to reduce children's health disparities.

A critical discussion of the benefits of e-health in population-level dental research.

Population-level research is an essential area of health with the potential to affect quality of life and the broader economy. There are excellent epidemiological studies that have improved health services, but traditional research requires a considerable investment. Although electronic technology has changed the practice of many industries with improved efficiency, its application to health is relatively new. Termed 'e-health', this emerging area has been defined by the World Health Organization as the use of information technology to support many aspects of health such as in administration and scientific information. However, not all professionals are convinced of its use. This paper presents a novel application of this emerging area to describe the benefit in data collation and research to support one of the most pressing issues in public health: oral health and policy. Using the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme as an example, a critical discussion of its benefit to population-level research is presented. The Chronic Disease Dental Scheme method of electronic administration has been shown to enhance research and to complement existing progress in health data linkage. e-Health is an invaluable tool for population-level dental research.

A national audit of Australian dental practice distribution: do all Australians get a fair deal?

Australia is the sixth biggest (by area) country in the world, having a total area of about 7.5 million km(2) (3 million square miles). This study located every dental practice in the country (private and public) and mapped these practices against population. The total population of Australia (21.5 million) is distributed across 8,529 suburbs. On average about one-third of the population from each State lives in suburbs without practices and 46% live in suburbs with one to five dentists. Of those living within the study frameset, 86.6% live within 5 km of a private practice and 84.4% live within 10 km of a government practice. Australia's dental practices are distributed in a very uneven fashion across its vast area. Three-quarters of suburbs have no dental practice and over one-third of the population live in these suburbs. This research clearly identified that in a vast and uneven socio-geographically distributed country, service planning, if left to market forces, will end with a practice distribution that is fixed by economic drivers of scale and not that of disease burden. A more population health-driven approach to future design and construction of government safety net services is needed to address these disparities.