Contextual and individual determinants of the need for endodontic treatment in adults in Brazil: A multilevel analysis

Aim: To examine the relationship between contextual and individual determinants with the need for endodontic treatment in Brazilian adults.

Methods: Individual-level data from 6897 adults aged 35-44 years living in the Brazilian state capitals who participated in the Brazilian Oral Health Survey (SBBrasil 2010 Project) were combined with city-level data. Individual- and city-level variables were selected to represent the structural and intermediate determinants of health according to the WHO model of social determinants of health. The association of independent variables with one or more teeth in need of endodontic treatment was evaluated using multilevel logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: The prevalence of the need for endodontic treatment was 7.7%. Adults living in cities with better contextual socioeconomic conditions (OR 0.82; 95% CI = 0.72-0.93) and better specialized dental services (OR 0.85; 95% CI = 0.77-0.95) were less likely to need endodontic treatment. Younger age, greater schooling and use of private dental services reduced the odds of need for endodontic treatment. Number of people per room, type of dental service and reason for the last dental visit were also associated with need of endodontic treatment.

Conclusion: Contextual and individual factors were relevant determinants of endodontic treatment needs in adults.