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BackgroundThere is an improvement in oral health status among people who receive preventive dental care during their lifetime, highlighting the possible effect in resolving oral health problems and consequently oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL).AimAssessed the effect of routine dental attendance on child OHRQoL.DesignThis cohort study used baseline data from 639 preschoolers from 2010. After 7 years, 449 children were re‐examined (70.3%). Mothers of the children completed a questionnaire collecting data on the pattern of use of dental services. Children were classified as adhering to long‐term routine dental attendance according to their pattern of use (routine vs curative) in the baseline and in follow‐up. The child OHRQoL was assessed through the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ8‐10). The association between routine dental attendance and child OHRQoL was assessed using multilevel Poisson regression models.ResultsThe proportion of participants who reported the worst CPQ8‐10 scores were higher among those who, at some point in their life, experienced a curative dental attendance. Also, the mean CPQ8‐10 was two times higher for non‐routine dental attendance.ConclusionThe findings showed that there is an impact of long‐term routine attendance on child OHRQoL. This is important for tackling oral health iniquities.

Objectives This cross‐sectional study aimed to estimate the association between the structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital and self‐reported oral health. Methods This study conducted individual assessments of 9,365 individuals aged 50 years or older from Brazil. Four individual variables based on structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital were assessed. We used hierarchical Poisson regression models to estimate the prevalence ratio of self‐reported oral health with individual structural and cognitive social capital variables adjusted for associated factors. Results Cognitive social capital was associated with self‐reported oral health. Individuals who reported lack of neighbourhood trust and not having friends presented 14% (RP: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.07‐1.21) and 9% (RP: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.19), respectively, higher prevalence of poor self‐reported oral health, relative to those who trust in their neighbourhood and reported having friends. Conclusion The cognitive dimension of social capital may be linked with self‐reported oral health. Therefore, social capital can be stimulated in the context of social policies as its encouragement can be an efficient tool for improving individuals’ health and, consequently, the oral health of the older people.

Objectives It is evident that discriminatory attitudes affect different dimensions of personal life, including health. This study aimed to verify the association between perceived discrimination in health services and preventive dental attendance in Brazilian adults. Methods This cross‐sectional study used secondary data from the 2013 National Health Survey (PNS), a representative survey of the Brazilian population. The response rate was 91.9%, with 60,202 adults agreeing to complete the oral health self‐perception questionnaire. Data were analysed using the software STATA 14.0. A descriptive sample analysis was conducted that considered sample weight as well as an association between health discrimination and factors associated with preventive dental attendance through Poisson regression models. Results Adjusted analysis demonstrated that, regarding the reasons that led to discrimination, lack of money, social class and type of working occupation showed a negative association with preventive dental attendance. Conclusion Our findings show that discrimination perpetuates health inequities. Those with worse social conditions need more assistance as they struggle with discrimination and end up going for a check‐up after the disease is established or advanced. Preventive care, which could change the health condition of the disadvantaged population, is often a reality only for those less vulnerable.

Background Social capital incorporates contextual and individual levels of interactions, which influence human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of individual and contextual social capital in early childhood on gingival bleeding in children after 7 years. Methods This 7‐year cohort study was conducted with a randomized sample of 639 children (1 to 5 years old) evaluated in 2010 (T1) in Santa Maria, southern Brazil. Gingival bleeding was recorded during follow‐up (T2). Contextual (social class association and number of churches) and individual (religious practice, volunteer networks, and school involvement) social capital variables were collected at baseline, along with demographic, socioeconomic, and oral health variables. A multilevel Poisson regression model was used to investigate the influence of individual and contextual variables on mean gingival bleeding. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. Results A total of 449 children were reassessed after 7 years (70.3% cohort retention rate). Children living in areas with a larger number of churches at baseline had lower mean gingival bleeding at follow‐up. Regarding individual social capital, children whose parents did not attend school activities were more likely to have gingival bleeding. Additionally, low maternal education, poor parents’ perception of oral health, non‐use of dental services, and low frequency of tooth brushing were related to higher mean gingival bleeding at follow‐up. Conclusion The presence of more churches in neighborhoods and parents' involvement in a child's school activities positively influenced children's oral health, and these individuals had lower mean gingival bleeding.