This ecological study investigated the associations between dental caries, socioeconomic indicators, and the supply of dental services in the State of Paraná, Brazil, for the year 1996. Two types of information were collected: (1) data on caries prevalence (DMFT at 12 years) for the municipalities (or counties) in the State; (2) data on socioeconomic conditions and the supply of dental services. Based on simple linear regression analysis, the study demonstrated a significant correlation between the caries index in municipalities and various social and dental services supply indicators. Results of the analysis of multiple linear regression showed that one indicator of income inequality remained significantly associated with dental caries, demonstrating that the worst oral health conditions cannot be dissociated from income disparities. A significant negative correlation was observed between DMFT and the proportion of the population that received fluoridated water, principally in the municipalities with the worst income inequality indicators. This highlights the importance of fluoridation for the reduction of caries rates, as well as to attenuate the impact of socioeconomic inequalities on the prevalence of dental caries.
Health Resources; Socioeconomic Factors; Fluoridation; DMF Index
