Oral health needs and use of services by adults: evidence from SB Brasil 2023

This cross-sectional study investigated the demand for and use of dental services, use of prosthesis, self-perception and clinical evaluation of the need for dental treatment and prostheses in adults aged 35 to 44 years participating in SB Brasil 2023. Demographic and contextual variables were analyzed, as well as clinical variables and self-perception of oral health (treatment and prosthesis). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics 23.0 software. The results showed that the majority of adults used dental services in the past year, mainly in the private and public sectors. Among public service users, 62.3% were actually attended to. The need for prostheses was identified in 49.6% of individuals who do not use prostheses and in 77.7% of those who already use them. It was observed that 86.6% of individuals who self-assessed their need for prosthesis were also clinically evaluated as needing one. Regarding dental treatment, this evaluation coincided in 65.6% of individuals. Disparities in access to and utilization of dental services were identified, as well as a high demand for prosthetic care and rehabilitation. These results emphasize the need for public policies that expand access to and improve the quality of dental services in adult healthcare in Brazil. Furthermore, they suggest that promoting self-perception could be an effective strategy to improve planning and adherence to oral health care.