[Racial inequalities in oral health in the Brazilian population: an analysis of the 2019 National Health Survey].

Abstract

The scope of this study was to identify racial inequalities in oral health among the Brazilian population. This cross-sectional study used data from 64,830 Brazilians aged between 18 and 59 who participated in the 2019 National Health Survey. The outcomes evaluated were: self-assessment of oral health, loss of 13 or more teeth, use of prostheses, and recent use of dental services. The explanatory variables included race, gender, age, income, education, and area of residence. Poisson regression was used to obtain prevalence ratios (PR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Of the total, 41.8% were white, 46.2% were mixed race and 12.0% were black. Black individuals had a lower prevalence of positive self-assessment and recent use of dental services, as well as a higher prevalence of tooth loss compared to whites. Mixed-race individuals had a lower prevalence of positive self-assessment and recent use of dental services, and a higher prevalence of tooth loss compared to whites. The findings revealed racial inequities in oral health in the Brazilian population, with racism being the main perpetuator of these disparities.