INFLUENCE OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON USERS’ PERCEPTION OF THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC ORAL HEALTH SERVICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: study to assess the influence of sociodemographic factors on the individual perception of oral health and quality of oral health services in the municipality of Piraí, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional was conducted from August to October 2014 and included 118 users of the ESF (Estratégia de Saúde da Família) oral health service aged 18 years or over, without cognitive disability. The self-reported assessment of the quality of oral health services in the Family Health Units followed the QASSaB questionnaire, using a semi-structured interview technique. Results: sex, marital status, family income, education and self-perception of oral health were statistically associated with the dimensions of the QASSaB questionnaire. Dental equipment was considered modern by SUS users. Patients’ perceptions of efficacy, effectiveness and acceptability were negative for quality of service, resources spent and postoperative complications. In addition, the possibility of choosing the day and/ or time of dental appointments, satisfaction with the appearance of treated teeth and perception of oral health varied significantly with schooling and family
income. In general, individuals with better socioeconomic indices had a positive self-perception of the SUS units and professionals evaluated, compared with lower income and lower education. Conclusion: the ESF oral health service facilities were positively evaluated, while the self-perception of oral health, effectiveness and acceptability of the oral health service require adjustments and investments.
The self-perception of the efficacy and effectiveness of dental care by ESF users varied with the family income, and the education level also influenced the
assessment of effectiveness.