Factors associated with the need for oral treatment of elderly Brazilians: a multilevel analysis

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of prosthetic requirements and dental treatment needs among the elderly Brazilian population and the associations with contextual and individual determinants. Data were taken from the Brazilian Oral Health Survey (SB Brasil 2010) and a sample of 7,619 Brazilian people aged 65-74 years were investigated. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals between treatment needs and contextual variables (Municipal Human Development Index, Gini coefficient and oral health coverage in the Family Health Strategy) and individual (gender, income, education and skin color). The prevalence of treatment need ranged from municipalities (p < 0.05). Of the individual variables, gender was associated with dental treatment need (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.31); lower education and non-white skin were risk factors (OR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.31 and OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.43); the non-white skin color represented a risk factor (OR = 1.83; 95% CI 1,38- 2,42) and for the need for prosthesis income was a protection factor (OR = 0.39; 95% CI 0, 30-.51). The results showed an association between the individual factors and treatment needs.