Resumo

JAHNKE, Maiara Mundstock et al. Self-perceived and normative need for dental treatment of individuals from three health districts of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. RFO UPF [online]. 2013, vol.18, n.3, pp. 271-276. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objective: this study aimed to assess the level of agreement between normative and self-perceived need for dental treatment of individuals aged 50 to 74 years, as well as to analyze the association between sociodemographic variables, and normative and self-perceived need for treatment. Subjects and methods: this study is a population-based cross-sectional study performed in three health districts of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. A random multi-stage sampling was used. Data were collected in the homes of the respondents by properly calibrated examiners and annotators after the respondents had signed the informed consent form. Data were analyzed with the use of the SPSS 16.0. Results: 720 individuals were interviewed and examined. From them, 57.7% were women, and 42.3% were men. From the respondents, 582 (80.8%) said they needed dental treatment, and 490 (68.1%) presented normative need for treatment. A 0.86 Kappa was observed in the level of agreement between self-perceived need and normative need. Conclusions: self-perceived need for treatment was associated to gender. Men reported having more need for treatment than women. A high concordance was observed between self-perceived and normative need for treatment. No association was found between socioeconomic variables and normative need for treatment.

Palavras-chave : Self-perception; Need for treatment; Oral Health.