Health ombudsman and racial inequities in Dental Specialities Centers performance in Brazil: A multilevel analysis. Issue 1 (6th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bomfim, Rafael Aiello; da Cunha, Inara Pereira; Lacerda, Valéria Rodrigues de
• Other Names: Celeste Roger Keller guestEditor.; Haye Biazevic Maria Gabriela guestEditor.; Moyses Samuel Jorge guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Community dentistry and oral epidemiology. Volume 50:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2021-12-06
• Subjects: delivery of health care -- ethnic inequality -- formal social control -- healthcare disparities -- patient advocacy; Dental public health -- Periodicals; 617.6
• DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12713
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-5661

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to verify racial differences in the performance of Dental Specialities Centers in Brazil, according to the presence of active health ombudsman on four primary outcomes: (1) access and dental appointment, (2) reception services, (3) bond and responsibility, and (4) social participation. Methods: Data came from the PMAQ‐CEO national evaluation of public healthcare services, 2018–2019. The two main explanatory variables were the self‐classified race at the individual level and the presence of the health ombudsman at the second level (level of services provision). Individual covariates included age, sex and schooling. Multilevel logistic regression was used to calculate the OR (Odds Ratios) in racial gaps according to the primary outcomes with individuals at the first level and public health services at the second level. Results: The analytical sample comprised of 8993 respondents. Brown people were less likely to report better Access (27%), good reception services (31%), bond and responsibility (30%) and social participation (22%) than Whites. Black people showed similar patterns. Dental Specialities Centers that use health ombudsman for planning have attenuated racial inequities in all analysed dimensions. Conclusions: Dental Specialities Centers that use active health ombudsman for planning showed lower racial inequities in access, reception, bond and responsibility and social participation than those who did not use. Therefore, the health ombudsman should be implemented and used for planning better specialized dental services in Brazil.