Associação da autopercepção sobre qualidade de vida, saúde bucal e acesso a serviços odontológicos entre mulheres de uma comunidade ribeirinha de Manaus: estudo transversal

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Oral health is an essential component of quality of life, influenced by biological, social, and economic factors. In riverside communities in the Amazon, women face unique challenges in accessing dental services due to geographic barriers, poor infrastructure, and socioeconomic inequalities. Self-perception of oral health, impacted by caries and periodontal disease conditions, is reflected in the search for care and adherence to preventive practices. In addition, hormonal changes throughout women's lives increase vulnerability to oral problems, making specialized care essential. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is an association between quality of life, self-perception of oral health, and access to health services among riverside women in a community in Manaus. METHOD: An observational, cross-sectional study developed in the community of Nossa Senhora de Fátima, a rural riverside area of ​​Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil. Riverside women aged 18 or older, living in the rural community, were included. Sociodemographic variables, self-perception of oral health, and quality of life were used. Data were collected at home through individual interviews and the following instruments: Socioeconomic assessment form, access to dental services, self-perception of oral health, and WHOQOL BREF. Data were statistically analyzed to identify associations between the indicators studied. RESULTS: Most participants sought dental care in public services, with pain being the main reason for the consultation (39.6%). Approximately 40% of women classified their oral appearance as "poor," and 80.2% reported the need for dental treatment. Socioeconomic factors, such as limited education, negatively impacted the perception of oral health and quality of life. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the quality of life of riverside women from the Nossa Senhora de Fátima community is directly related to their self-perception of oral health and limited access to dental services, influenced by socioeconomic and geographic barriers. Most participants have already seen a dentist, predominantly in the public health system, but approximately 80% still require dental treatment, reflecting a pent-up demand. The negative perception of oral health, with impacts on chewing, speech, and interpersonal relationships, associated with the high prevalence of pain, significantly affects the physical and psychological domains of quality of life. The predominance of a curative care model and the lack of preventive actions reinforce the need for public policies that expand primary care, qualify professionals to work in remote areas, and strengthen educational actions, aiming to mitigate inequalities and improve the oral health of this population.

Keywords: Public health, Primary care, Health Equity, Dentistry.