This study compared the experience of dental caries and the prevalence of edentulism in 2003, 2010, and 2023 for individuals aged 65 to 74 in Brazil by region and according to self-declared race/skin color and years of schooling. A probabilistic cluster sample obtained from three national oral health surveys was analyzed. Information from oral health examinations for dental caries, according to the World Health Organization, common to three surveys, were used. The statistical significance of differences between estimates from each survey was evaluated for a linear combination of coefficients after mean or proportion estimation command by subpopulations and two-sided t-tests. Poisson and logistic regression models were employed to estimate changes between surveys while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. The sampling design and sample weight were considered for the estimates. The analysis of data from 5,349 (2003), 7,509 (2010), and 9,745 (2023) individuals revealed a significant reduction in the DMFT index from 27.60 (2003) and 27.53 (2010) to 23.55 (2023) and in the prevalence of edentulism from 53.34% (2003) and 53.38% (2010) to 36.32% (2023). The number of missing teeth decreased by 14.46% between 2023 and 2010, with the greatest variation among white individuals and those with higher educational levels. The number of filled teeth increased. Adjusted regression models confirmed significant reductions in the DMFT index and the prevalence of edentulism between 2023 and 2003. The elderly Brazilian population is retaining more natural teeth. However, reductions in tooth loss were unequal, occurring primarily among white individuals and those with higher educational levels.

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between experiences of discrimination and oral health self-perception among a probabilistic cluster sample of Brazilian adults who participated in the 2013 National Health Survey. Oral health self-perception was categorized into three groups (very good + good; fair; poor + very poor). Reported experiences of discrimination included attributions based on the respondent’s race/skin color, social class, income, occupation, illness, sexual orientation, religion, sex, and age. Covariates included sociodemographic data, oral health conditions, access to healthcare services, health habits, mental health, and participation in social and/or religious activities. Data were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression for non-proportional odds, considering sample weights and complex samples. Among 60,202 adults, 5.84% perceived their oral health as poor + very poor, with a significantly higher proportion among those experiencing discrimination (9.98%). Adults who experienced discrimination were 1.39 times more likely to report a “poor/very poor/fair” oral health self-perception compared to those who did not experience discrimination. Those who suffered discrimination were 1.28 times more likely to have a “very poor/poor” oral health self-perception than their counterparts who were not affected by discrimination. These findings underscore the importance of considering discrimination experiences as part of the social determinants influencing oral health.

This cross-sectional study assessed the magnitude of inequalities in self-rated oral health (SROH) among different socioeconomic groups in Brazil. Secondary data from interviews with a sample of adults (≥18 years) from the national health survey 2013 (n = 64,308) and 2019 (n = 88,531) were analyzed. Positive SROH was considered when participants selected the good or very good options. Socioeconomic indicators were monthly household income and years of education. The magnitude of inequalities among socioeconomic groups was estimated using the Slope (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII). Interaction term assessed changes in SII/RII over time. Estimates were adjusted for sex and age. The prevalence of SROH was 67.50% in 2013 and 69.68% in 2019. Individuals with lower socioeconomic indicators had a lower prevalence of positive SROH. Significant reductions in the magnitude of the education-based RII between 2013 (1.58) and 2019 (1.48) in Brazil, as well as in north (1.70; 1.45) and northeast (1.50; 1.41) regions and reduction in the income-based RII in the north (1.71; 1.51) were observed. Socioeconomic inequalities in SROH persist across different Brazilian regions, although there was a reduction in disparities among education groups in 2019 compared with 2013. The findings of this study suggest that equitable Brazilian oral health policies may have contributed to reducing SROH inequality over time.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of edentulism and functional dentition (FD) in Brazil and assess the magnitude of inequalities among older adults, according to education in 2003, 2010, and 2023. Methods: This study used repeated cross‐sectional data from individuals aged 65–74 years who participated in the national oral health surveys (SB Brasil) conducted in 2003, 2010, and 2023. Edentulism was defined as the loss of all permanent teeth, and FD as the presence of 21 or more teeth. Educational level was categorized as: 0 (no schooling), 1–4, 5–8, 9–11, and ≥ 12 years of study. Absolute and relative inequalities in edentulism and FD were assessed using the slope index of inequality (SII) and the relative index of inequality (RII) based on education. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were applied with a logarithmic link function to estimate RII and an identity link function to estimate SII, adjusting for sex and age. The concentration index (CI) was calculated as twice the area between the concentration curve and the line of equality. All analyses accounted for the complex sampling design and sample weights. Results: The study included 5347 individuals in 2003, 7619 in 2010, and 9745 in 2023. The prevalence of edentulism was 53.33% in 2003 and 53.38% in 2010. In 2023, the prevalence significantly declined to 36.47%. FD prevalence was significantly higher in 2023 (23.94%) compared with 2003 (9.89%) and 2010 (11.45%). A worse oral health status was observed among individuals with lower educational levels. Indicators of absolute and relative inequality showed a significant increase in disparities, confirmed by the CI. Conclusion: There was an increase in inequalities in edentulism and FD, indicating that the reduction in tooth loss was greater among socioeconomically advantaged groups.

Tradicionalmente, cursos de Graduação em Odontologia apresentavam modelo tradicional de ensino, adepto ao paradigma biomédico e à formação de competências para atuação no setor privado. Por meio do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), estratégias foram propostas para favorecer mudanças no processo formativo, coerentes com as necessidades da população e do SUS. O artigo relata a experiência de um curso de Odontologia com a implementação do estágio curricular “Compreensão Social em Saúde” nos períodos iniciais do curso, desenvolvido em diferentes equipamentos sociais, transcendendo os espaços usuais das instituições de saúde como cenários de prática. A experiência dos discentes foi avaliada mediante relatórios descritivos e roda de conversa. As conclusões quanto ao impacto do estágio na formação dos estudantes apontam maior compreensão do contexto social, sensibilização às desigualdades sociais, empatia e conscientização sobre o papel do profissional de saúde na sociedade.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as desigualdades socioeconômicas na utilização de serviços de saúde bucal entre adultos brasileiros de 35-44 anos, no período de 2003 a 2023, segundo escolaridade, renda e tipo de serviço utilizado. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal baseado nos dados dos inquéritos nacionais de saúde bucal realizados no Brasil em 2003, 2010 e 2023. Foram estimadas prevalências ponderadas de utilização de serviços de saúde bucal no último ano e calculadas as medidas de desigualdade absoluta (índice angular de desigualdade; IAD) e relativa (índice relativo de desigualdade; IRD), segundo escolaridade e renda. Modelos de regressão logística avaliaram a associação entre indicadores socioeconômicos e utilização de serviços. Resultados: Entre 2003 e 2023, a proporção de adultos que usaram serviços de saúde bucal no último ano aumentou de 38,7 para 51,6%. O IRD para escolaridade reduziu de 2,16 para 1,39 e o IAD de 0,30 para 0,20, indicando diminuição das desigualdades nesse contexto, estatisticamente significativa entre usuários do serviço público (IRD=1,08; IAD=0,07 em 2023). As desigualdades segundo a renda permaneceram inalteradas. Modelos ajustados mostraram interação significativa entre escolaridade e tipo de serviço, com gradiente mais acentuado no setor privado e mais homogêneo no público. Conclusão: Entre 2003 e 2023, observou-se aumento na utilização de serviços de saúde bucal no último ano e redução das desigualdades segundo a escolaridade entre usuários dos serviços públicos, sugerindo avanços na consolidação da Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal e na ampliação do acesso público. Entretanto, as desigualdades econômicas persistem, evidenciando a necessidade de políticas redistributivas que integrem equidade e sustentabilidade no financiamento do Sistema Único de Saúde.