Factors associated with the use of dental services by older people in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the use of dental services by older people living in São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data analysis from sub-samples of older people in the Health Surveys in the City of São Paulo, Brazil (ISA-Capital), conducted in 2003, 2008 and 2015. Several variables were tested as factors associated with the outcome "dental visit in the last year". Adjusted odds ratios were estimated from three binary logistic regression models, one for each year.

Results: Sex was associated with the outcome only in 2008, with an adjusted odds ratio (ORa) of 0.65 (0.48-0.89) for females. Younger individuals (up to 74 years old) were more likely to have seen a dentist in 2008 and 2015. The variable years of study remained associated with the outcome throughout the entire period, revealing an ORa of 8.22 (4.23-15.99) for individuals with 12 or more years of study in 2003. This measure decreased to 1.77 (1.25-2.51) in 2015. Race remained an associated factor only in 2003 [ORa=1.50 (1.04-2.17)] in favor of self-declared white individuals. On the other hand, monthly income and health insurance were factors associated with the outcome only in 2008 and 2015.

Conclusion: The findings of this study point to critical issues that deserve the attention of managers, on the basis of intersectoral measures that contribute to active and healthy aging.