Introduction
The dental care has been stimulated from the prenatal period. However, there are children in the preschool age who have never been taken to a dental appointment.
Objective
The aim of the study was to analyze the use of dental services for preschool children aged from one to five years living in a small city belonging to the semi-arid of Paraiba.
Material and method
This study was descriptive, cross-sectional with quantitative data approach. The sample consisted of 82 children enrolled in a public kindergarten hall, and represented by their parents/guardians, to which was applied a semi-structured form.
Result
76.8% of children never used dental services. Out of all children who sought care, 84.2% were conducted to public oral health. The main reason among those who took their children to oral health services was “routine visit”, corresponding to 62.9% of cases. Most respondents (62.2%) believe that children do not need dental care. 79.3% of those responsible for children found no difficulty in access to dental services. With respect to the financial condition, there were no families living with more than three minimum wages.
Conclusion
The use of dental services for preschool shows up poor in the locality searched. However, it was found that there are no difficulties regarding the access to oral health services for the small percentage of caregivers who were interested in driving their children to the dentist.
Health services accessibility; oral health; child preschool
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