Inequality in dental care utilisation among Thai children: evidence from Thailand where universal coverage has been achieved.

AIMS

To quantify the extent of the socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care utilisation among Thai children and to examine the characteristics of dental care utilisation, after the country achieved universal coverage.

DESIGN

The data to perform analyses were taken from the nationally representative Health and Welfare Survey (HWS) and Socioeconomic Survey (SES) 2007 in Thailand.

PARTICIPANTS

Data of 15,736 representative Thai children (aged below 15 years) were selected.

METHODS

Descriptive analyses were performed to reveal the features of dental care utilisation among Thai children, in addition to use the concentration index (CI) to measure socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care utilisation. Logistic regression was employed to determine inequality in dental care across socioeconomic strata.

RESULTS

The unequivocal gradient in dental care utilisation persistence among Thai children and the socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care utilisation is more concentrated among the better-off as the positive CI value (equals 0.069) emerged. Poor children, however, are more likely to utilise dental care at public facilities, particularly primary care facilities.

CONCLUSION

The evidence from Thailand, where universal coverage has been virtually achieved, provides some lesson for other countries particularly developing countries. Although the socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care utilisation among Thai children still exists, the pro-poor dental care utilisation at public facilities, particularly primary care facilities substantiate the impressive stride towards the concerted effort to reducing inequitable dental care delivery for Thai children.