Abstract

Objective:

To analyze association between participation in integrative practices and regular use of dental services in Brazilian older adults.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study based on secondary data from the 2019 National Health Survey. All older adults aged 60 years and over were included. The study outcome was regular dental service use. Poisson regression models were used to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and their respective at confidence intervals 95% (95%CI).

Results:

A total of 22,728 older adults were analyzed. Most were female (55.5%), reported that they were White (51.3%), had incomplete primary education (47.0%); 7.0% (95%CI 6.8;7.5) had used some form of integrative practice and 34.3% (95%CI 33.2;35.4) had used their dental service regularly. Individuals who used integrative practices had higher prevalence of dental service use even after adjusting the model (PR = 1.15; 95%CI 1.07;1.23).

Conclusion:

Among Brazilian older adults use of integrative practices was associated with regular use of dental services.

Keywords:
Primary Health Care; Oral Health; Complementary Therapies; Cross-Sectional Studies

Introduction

Despite the recognized importance of oral health as part of people’s overall health and well-being, a large part of Brazilians do not use dental services.¹1. Fagundes MLB, Bastos LF, Amaral Júnior OL, Menegazzo GR, Cunha AR, Stein C, et al. Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental services in Brazil: an analysis of the 2019 National Health Survey. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2021;24(Suppl 2):e210004. doi: 10.1590/1980-549720210004.SUPL.2
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-54972021000... Use of health services is the result of a series of complex causes, which relate to socio-demographic and economic issues as well as to morbidity profiles and the availability of health services.²2. Fonseca EP, Fonseca SGO, Meneghim MC. Factors associated with the use of dental care by elderly residents of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2017;20(6):785-96. doi: 10.1590/1981-22562017020.170095
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562017020... Predisposing factors regarding health service use, such as beliefs, personal health practices, diet, exercise and self-care, can have an effect on the perceived need for care and consequently influence the pattern of service use.³3. Hajek A, Kretzler B, König HH. Factors associated with dental service use based on the andersen model: A systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(5):2491. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052491
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052491... According to results from the 2019 National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde - PNS), less than 30% of elderly people had seen a dentist in the year prior to the survey interview.¹1. Fagundes MLB, Bastos LF, Amaral Júnior OL, Menegazzo GR, Cunha AR, Stein C, et al. Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental services in Brazil: an analysis of the 2019 National Health Survey. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2021;24(Suppl 2):e210004. doi: 10.1590/1980-549720210004.SUPL.2
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-54972021000... Oral health is essential for quality of life, whether for chewing and swallowing food, or for self-esteem and psychological well-being.⁴4. Glick M, Williams DM, Kleinman DV, Vujicic M, Watt RG, Weyant RJ. A new definition for oral health developed by the FDI World Dental Federation opens the door to a universal definition of oral health. J Am Dent Assoc. 2016;147(12):915-7. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2016.10.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2016.10.0...

Integrative and complementary health practices comprise a set of services and techniques not covered by traditional medicine.⁵5. Habimorad PHL, Catarucci FM, Bruno VHT, Silva IBD, Fernandes VC, Demarzo MMP, et al. Implementation of brazil's national policy on complementary and integrative practices: Strengths and weaknesses. Cien Saude Coletiva. 2020;25(2):395-405. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232020252.11332018
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232020252... Such practices favor care focused on health and not disease, the quest for harmony between an individual and their natural and social environment, stimulating subjectivity to prevent disease and promote health, aiming at individual comprehensive care.⁵ In Primary Health Care (PHC), their relevance lies in the therapeutic pluralism necessary for the complex management of the family approach and the community approach to health, which assumes both longitudinal and comprehensive care.⁶6. Homa L, Rose J, Hovmand PS, Cherng ST, Riolo RL, Kraus A, et al. A participatory model of the paradox of primary care. Ann Fam Med. 2015;13(5):456-65. doi: 10.1370/afm.1841
https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1841... Such premises are especially important in care provided to the elderly population. In the face of a predominantly biomedical, curative and fragmented care model, the limitations of the effectiveness of which manifest themselves in the epidemiological pattern of diseases,⁷7. Scherer CI, Scherer MDA. Advances and challenges in oral health after a decade of the "Smiling Brazil" Program. Rev Saude Publica. 2015;49:98. doi: 10.1590/S0034-8910.2015049005961
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.20150... we are witnessing slow but gradual growth of integrative practices as a strategy for changing health paradigms.⁸8. Ruela LO, Moura CC, Gradim CVC, Stefanello J, Iunes DH, Prado RR. Implementation, access and use of integrative and complementary practices in the unified health system: a literature review. Cien Saude Coletiva. 2019;24(11):4239-50. doi: 10.1590/1413-812320182411.06132018
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018241...

Observing differentiated patterns of care and understanding the determinants of longevity with quality of life, can contribute positively to the aging process.⁹9. Ferreira MCG, Tura LFR, Silva RC, Ferreira MA. Social representations of older adults regarding quality of life. Rev Bras Enferm. 2017;70(4):806-13. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0097
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0... Integrative practices are forms of health care that work on the different senses involving the human being, stimulating self-knowledge, instigating and recovering the notion of quality of life, as well as co-responsibility in the health-disease-care process.¹⁰10. Dalmolin IS, Heidemann ITSB. Integrative and complementary practices in primary care: unveiling health promotion. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2020;28: e3277. doi: 10.1590/1518-8345.3162.3277
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3162.3... Therefore, it is plausible to assume that these practices have also influenced the demand for health services and oral health care.

The objective of this study was to analyze association between participation in integrative practices and regular use of dental services in Brazilian older adults.

Methods

Design

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study, which used secondary data from Brazil’s second National Health Survey (PNS 2019), conducted between August 2019 and March 2020 by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in partnership with the Ministry of Health, covering all of Brazil’s Federative Units.

The data used in the present study were obtained from the IBGE website (https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/saude.html), accessed on May 26, 2021.

Background

The PNS is a population-based survey and is representative of the Brazilian population that lives in permanent private residences.¹¹11. Stopa SR, Szwarcwald CL, Oliveira MM, Gouvea ECDP, Vieira MLFP, Freitas MPS, et al. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019: histórico, métodos e perspectivas. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;29(5):e2020315. doi: 10.1590/S1679-49742020000500004
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-4974202000... The first edition of the survey took place in 2013, aiming to collect information on the health determinants, conditioning factors and health needs of the Brazilian population. In 2019 Brazil had approximately 211 million inhabitants and the number of elderly people in the country had reached 32.9 million, maintaining the trend of population aging. Even so, the use of dental services in this age group remained below 30%.¹1. Fagundes MLB, Bastos LF, Amaral Júnior OL, Menegazzo GR, Cunha AR, Stein C, et al. Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental services in Brazil: an analysis of the 2019 National Health Survey. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2021;24(Suppl 2):e210004. doi: 10.1590/1980-549720210004.SUPL.2
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-54972021000...

Participants

Sampling was carried according to conglomerates, in three selection stages: (i) census tracts were used as primary sampling units; (ii) households were the units in the second stage; and finally, within each sampled household, (iii) the participants were selected using equiprobable sampling.¹¹11. Stopa SR, Szwarcwald CL, Oliveira MM, Gouvea ECDP, Vieira MLFP, Freitas MPS, et al. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019: histórico, métodos e perspectivas. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;29(5):e2020315. doi: 10.1590/S1679-49742020000500004
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-4974202000... The survey target population was comprised of individuals aged 15 years or older. One resident was randomly selected in each selected household, based on the list of eligible residents obtained at the time of the interview.¹¹11. Stopa SR, Szwarcwald CL, Oliveira MM, Gouvea ECDP, Vieira MLFP, Freitas MPS, et al. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019: histórico, métodos e perspectivas. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;29(5):e2020315. doi: 10.1590/S1679-49742020000500004
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-4974202000...

In this study, the objective of which was to study only the elderly population, data from all research participants aged 60 years or older were analyzed, and no exclusion criteria were applied.

Variables

The conceptual model (Figure 1) that guided the choice of confounding variables was specified prior to data analysis and was based on previous studies on the social determinants of health¹² and service use.³3. Hajek A, Kretzler B, König HH. Factors associated with dental service use based on the andersen model: A systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(5):2491. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052491
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052491... The confounding variables included:

Data source and measurement

IBGE organized and coordinated the fieldwork for the primary study. Data collection was conducted through interviews in the participants’ homes, where those selected answered an individual structured questionnaire. The interviews were conducted using mobile collection devices programmed with the survey questionnaire.¹¹11. Stopa SR, Szwarcwald CL, Oliveira MM, Gouvea ECDP, Vieira MLFP, Freitas MPS, et al. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019: histórico, métodos e perspectivas. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;29(5):e2020315. doi: 10.1590/S1679-49742020000500004
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-4974202000... All variables included in this study were self-reported by the participants.

Bias control

All data collectors in the primary study were trained and calibrated to understand, in detail, the entire survey. Instructional material was prepared to guide the field team, seeking to minimize measurement bias.¹¹

Study size

In order to define the sample size with a sufficient level of precision for the parameters of interest, we used some of the indicators from the first edition of the PNS, carried out in 2013: data on chronic non-communicable diseases, violence, use of health services, having a health insurance plan, health-related behaviors, among others.¹¹11. Stopa SR, Szwarcwald CL, Oliveira MM, Gouvea ECDP, Vieira MLFP, Freitas MPS, et al. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019: histórico, métodos e perspectivas. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;29(5):e2020315. doi: 10.1590/S1679-49742020000500004
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-4974202000... The calculation considered the following criteria: estimation of frequencies with the desired level of precision, using 95% confidence intervals; effect of the sampling plan; number of selected households per primary sampling unit; and frequency of households with people in the age group of interest.¹¹11. Stopa SR, Szwarcwald CL, Oliveira MM, Gouvea ECDP, Vieira MLFP, Freitas MPS, et al. Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019: histórico, métodos e perspectivas. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2020;29(5):e2020315. doi: 10.1590/S1679-49742020000500004
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-4974202000...

Statistical methods

Data analysis was performed using Stata software, version 14.0 (College Station, TX), considering the sample weight due to the complex sampling plan (survey module).

Initially we described the sample characteristics, frequencies and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of the regular use of dental services according to the independent variables. Frequency of use of integrative practices according to the type of practice was also described. Associations with regular use of dental services were estimated by applying Poisson regression models, observing the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and their respective 95%CIs; and 5% significance levels, as per Pearson’s chi-square test. Multiple analysis was adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic factors. All variables were input to the model simultaneously.

Ethical aspects

This study used secondary unrestricted public domain data, with no identification of participants, so that the confidentiality of the data was preserved. Although the study was not submitted to an internal institutional Research Ethics Committee, all ethical efforts were made to ensure confidentiality and compliance with National Health Council Resolution No. 466, dated December 12, 2012. Notwithstanding, the 2019 PNS, from which the data used in the research were derived, was approved by the National Research Ethics Committee/National Health Council under Opinion No. 3,529,376, issued on August 23, 2019, as per Certificate of Submission for Ethical Appraisal No. 11713319.7.0000.0008. All those who participated in the 2019 PNS signed an Informed Consent Form prior to being interviewed. The data and document files can be obtained from the IBGE website (https://www.ibge.gov.br/estatisticas/sociais/saude.html).

Results

We analyzed data on 22,728 elderly individuals. Most respondents were female (55.5%), reported that they were White (51.3%) and had incomplete elementary education (47.0%). The highest frequency was of per capita family income was found in the third income quintile (29.0%). Only 7.0% (95%CI 6.8;7.5) of the elderly used integrative or complementary practices and of these, 46.8% (95%CI 43.0;50.7) used dental services on a regular basis. Overall, 34.3% (95%CI 33.2;35.4) of the elderly we assessed used dental services on a regular basis (Table 1).

Phytotherapy was the most used type of integrative practice among those included in the survey (61.2%; 95%CI 58.1;64.2), followed by acupuncture (30.5%; 95%CI 27.3;33.9) and homeopathy (15.9%; 95%CI 13.3;18.9) (Table 2).

Frequency of regular dental service use was higher in individuals who made use of integrative practices in the last year, both in the crude analysis (PR = 1.40; 95%CI 1.28;1.52) and after adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic variables (PR = 1.15; 95%CI 1.07;1.23) (Table 3).

Discussion

Frequency of regular dental service use was higher among those who used integrative practices than among their peers. The findings of the present study make it possible to indicate that individuals who are more inclined to take care of their overall well-being, and for this reason use integrative practices, are also more proactive regarding their general and oral health, and thus seek dental services regularly.

This study has limitations, including its cross-sectional design, which limits causal inferences. It is possible that recall bias may have occurred since all the variables collected were self-reported. Despite their low frequency, the Asian and Indigenous race/skin color categories were kept in the analysis to avoid possible selection bias. Although the use of integrative practices is also considered to be an indicator of self-care, it should be noted that objective variables referring to self-care in health were not included due to limitations in the variables available in the database. On the other hand, standing out among this study’s potentialities is that the PNS 2019 is comprised of a nationally representative sample, which provides robustness to the results. As far as the study’s authors are aware, this is the first evaluative study of the relationship between the use of integrative practices and the use of dental services by elderly Brazilians.

Despite the fact that the Brazilian population is aging increasingly, use of dental services by the elderly continues to be low.¹ This population requires qualified listening and generally has sequelae arising from the accumulation of oral diseases throughout their lives.¹³13. Dalazen CE, Bomfim RA, De-Carli AD. Fatores associados à autopercepção da necessidade de tratamento odontológico e de prótese em idosos brasileiros. Cien Saude Colet. 2018;23(3):945-52. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232018233.09682016
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018233... It is also preferable that health workers act in a welcoming manner, taking into account psychological and social aspects of service users, seeking to understand suffering and illness from the perspective of service users.¹⁴14. Gale N. The Sociology of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine. Sociol Compass. 2014;8(6):805-22. doi: 10.1111/soc4.12182
https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12182... Integrative practices are therapeutic techniques that act in a complementary manner to biomedical rationality,¹⁵15. Sousa IMC, Bodstein RCA, Tesser CD, Santos FAS, Hortale VA. Práticas integrativas e complementares: oferta e produção de atendimentos no SUS e em municípios selecionados. Cad Saude Publica. 2012;28(11):2143-54. doi: 10.1590/S0102-311X2012001100014
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X201200... and can be a strategy for strengthening personal autonomy.¹⁶16. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares no SUS. 2. ed. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2015. They can, therefore, serve as a stimulus for seeking dental care on a regular basis. Routine visits to the dentist enable disease prevention and minimize the complexity of procedures, unlike making emergency visits when oral health problems arise.¹⁷17. Silva AER, Echeverria MS, Custódio NB, Cascaes AM, Camargo MBJ, Langlois CO. Uso regular de serviços odontológicos e perda dentária entre idosos. Cien Saude Colet. 2018;23(12):4269-76. doi: 10.1590/1413-812320182312.30562016
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018231... Access to and use of dental services on a regular basis are essential for the elderly population, in order to minimize the impacts resulting from demands accumulated throughout their lives.¹⁸18. Martins AMEBL, Haikal DS, Pereira SM, Barreto SM. Uso de serviços odontológicos por rotina entre idosos brasileiros: Projeto SB Brasil. Cad Saude Publica. 2008;24(7):1651-66. doi: 10.1590/S0102-311X2008000700020
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X200800...

The integrative practices most used by the elderly people interviewed were phytotherapy, acupuncture and homeopathy. Given the effects of these practices on anxiety and stress,¹⁹19. Dacal MPO, Silva IS. Impactos das práticas integrativas e complementares na saúde de pacientes crônicos. Saude Debate. 2018;42(118):724-35. doi: 10.1590/0103-1104201811815
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-11042018118... it is possible that they also have beneficial potential for those who suffer from anxiety related to dental procedures, and may complement the care of these individuals by providing care that is more humanized and relaxed.²⁰20. Faria AED, Varotto BLR, Martins GB, Nápole RCD, Antequera R. Terapias alternativas e complementares e seu uso na odontologia - revisão de literatura. Rev Fac Odontol Univ Fed Bahia. 2021;51(1):100-110. doi: 10.9771/revfo.v51i1.44221
https://doi.org/10.9771/revfo.v51i1.4422... The objective of using these therapies can be to actively include individuals in treatment decisions, improve their coping and sense of well-being.²¹21. Tesser CD. Práticas complementares, racionalidades médicas e promoção da saúde: contribuições poucos exploradas. Cad Saude Pub. 2009;25(8):1732-42. doi: 10.1590/S0102-311X2009000800009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X200900... The use of integrative practices can be an important component of oral health self-care,²²22. Arcury TA, Bell RA, Anderson AM, Chen H, Savoca MR, Kohrman T, et al. Oral health self-care behaviors of rural older adults. J Public Health Dent. 2009;69(3):182-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2009.00121.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-7325.2009... and can motivate people to seek routine dental care, as shown by this study.

The use of these practices has been explored as a means of supporting treatment of chronic conditions,²³23. Fleisher KA, Mackenzie ER, Frankel ES, Seluzicki C, Casarett D, Mao JJ. Integrative reiki for cancer patients: A program evaluation. Integr Cancer Ther. 2014;13(1):62-7. doi: 10.1177/1534735413503547
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735413503547... which are generally more prevalent in the elderly population. Assessment of the effects of different integrative practices on people with cancer with pain and anxiety,²³23. Fleisher KA, Mackenzie ER, Frankel ES, Seluzicki C, Casarett D, Mao JJ. Integrative reiki for cancer patients: A program evaluation. Integr Cancer Ther. 2014;13(1):62-7. doi: 10.1177/1534735413503547
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735413503547... and stress symptoms,²⁴24. Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, Gould NF, Rowland-Seymour A, Sharma R, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357-68. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20... found psychological responses such as relaxation and decreased pain and anxiety,²³23. Fleisher KA, Mackenzie ER, Frankel ES, Seluzicki C, Casarett D, Mao JJ. Integrative reiki for cancer patients: A program evaluation. Integr Cancer Ther. 2014;13(1):62-7. doi: 10.1177/1534735413503547
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735413503547... decreased stress levels,²⁴24. Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, Gould NF, Rowland-Seymour A, Sharma R, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357-68. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20... as well as improved emotional and spiritual well-being.²³23. Fleisher KA, Mackenzie ER, Frankel ES, Seluzicki C, Casarett D, Mao JJ. Integrative reiki for cancer patients: A program evaluation. Integr Cancer Ther. 2014;13(1):62-7. doi: 10.1177/1534735413503547
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735413503547... Use of certain integrative practices also points to beneficial effects in reducing abusive use of antibiotics.²⁵25. Baars EW, Zoen EB, Breitkreuz T, Martin D, Matthes H, von Schoen-Angerer T, et al. The Contribution of complementary and alternative medicine to reduce antibiotic use: a narrative review of health concepts, prevention, and treatment strategies. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:5365608. doi: 10.1155/2019/5365608
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5365608... Regarding care of the elderly, integrative practices can induce greater social interaction, boost self-esteem and stimulate the performance of daily activities,²⁶26. Marques PP, Francisco PMSB, Bacurau AGM, Rodrigues PS, Malta DC, Barros NF. Uso de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares por idosos: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2013. Saude Debate. 2020;44(126):845-56. doi: 10.1590/0103-1104202012619
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-11042020126... these being attitudes and behaviors that are often impaired in the lives of these subjects.²⁷27. Oliveira-Figueiredo DST, Felisbino-Mendes MS, Malta DC, Velásquez-Meléndez JG. Prevalence of functional disability in the elderly: analysis of the National Health Survey. Rev RENE. 2017;18(4):468. doi: 10.15253/2175-6783.2017000400007
https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.20170...

Use of integrative practices appears to have positive impacts on health, considering the psychological, physical and emotional dimensions of service users.¹⁹19. Dacal MPO, Silva IS. Impactos das práticas integrativas e complementares na saúde de pacientes crônicos. Saude Debate. 2018;42(118):724-35. doi: 10.1590/0103-1104201811815
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-11042018118... This influence may be due to the fact that these practices involve approaches that seek to stimulate disease prevention and health recovery through soft technologies, including systems and resources that emphasize friendly listening, the creation of bonds and the integration of individuals in the context in which they live.¹⁶16. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares no SUS. 2. ed. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2015. The health-disease process is therefore viewed in a comprehensive way, aimed at all-round promotion of care and, especially, encouragement of self-care. This also appears to have repercussions on oral health care, which is reflected in the regular use of this service.

When oral health professionals apply the systemic approach proposed by integrative practices, their intention is to diagnose and treat using an approach that goes beyond physical symptoms, and also relate them to the biopsychosocial aspects of the individual’s context.²⁸28. Simoes SCR. Odontologia integrativa: abordagem sistêmica na odontologia. Rev Fitos. 2020;14(3):407-9. doi: 10.32712/2446-4775.2020.921
https://doi.org/10.32712/2446-4775.2020.... Their use, alongside the practice of geriatric dentistry, regardless of the cause to be treated, can raise the health worker-service user relationship to levels of humanization that contribute to the excellence of results. It is known that in the past people who are elderly today were attended to in consulting rooms where there were no technologies capable of providing stress-free care, which often results in anxiety prior to dental treatment.²⁹29. Carvalho RWF, Falcão PGCB, Campos GJL, Bastos AS, Pereira JC, Pereira MAS, et al. Ansiedade frente ao tratamento odontológico: prevalência e fatores predictores em brasileiros. Cien Saude Colet. 2012;17(7):1915-22. doi: 10.1590/S1413-81232012000700031
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-8123201200... In this sense, integrative practices can be potential allies in management of anxiety caused by these procedures, given their association with reduction of stress and anxiety symptoms.²⁴24. Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, Gould NF, Rowland-Seymour A, Sharma R, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357-68. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.20... As they involve approaches that use soft technologies, integrative practices can avoid excessive medicalization and unnecessary interventions, helping to overcome a merely biomedical model.³⁰30. Tesser CD, Norman AH. Prevenção quaternária e práticas integrativas e complementares em saúde (I). Rev Bras Med Fam Comunidade. 2020;15(42):2551. doi: 10.5712/rbmfc15(42)2551
https://doi.org/10.5712/rbmfc15(42)2551...

We found association between use of integrative practices and regular use of dental services by elderly Brazilians. These practices, already guaranteed by the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), can be a strategy for encouraging the adoption of better health-related behaviors, such as regular use of dental services.

References

Publication Dates

History