[Variables associated with the use of dental services among preschool population in Spain: a national health survey analysis].

BACKGROUND: oral health is integral to health from the eruption of the first tooth. To achieving, it is necessary an early establishment of healthy oral habits as regular dental checkups. In developed countries, caries is the most prevalent chronic pediatric disease and it may be increasing in preschool age.

OBJECTIVES: a) assessing prevalence of oral health services use among Spanish preschool population, b) quantifying and analyzing the existence of variability among autonomous community and c) identifying variables associated with such use.

METHODS: cross-sectional study about Spanish National health Survey (2006).

SAMPLE: 2,172 children aged between 2 and 5 years (both inclusive).

DEPENDENT VARIABLE: have gone to dental services at least once during life.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: sociodemographic, self-referred dental health, habits and family socioeconomic status variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: 20.8% of Spanish preschoolers reported had attended dental services. Probability of use increased with age (OR: 1,88; IC:1,53-2,31), frequency of daily tooth brushing (three or more times per day vrs less than once: OR: 2,94; IC: 1,47-5,87) and presence of caries (OR: 2,60; IC: 1,22-5,51). There is a socioeconomic gradient about probability of use: it increased with family socioeconomic status measured by social class (low vrs high: OR: 0,41; IC: 0,19-0,86) and maternal educational level (OR: 1,62; IC: 1,13-2,32). There was not variability in the oral health services use attributable to the autonomous community.

CONCLUSIONS: the use of dental health services among Spanish preschool population is lower than desirable. The promotion of its use should be intensified in children from disadvantaged families.