The impact of demographic, health-related and social factors on dental services utilization: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Regular and/or preventive dental services utilization is an indicator of healthcare access and associated with improved health outcomes. We assessed the proportion of individuals regularly/preventively utilizing dental services, and how this was affected by demographic, health-related and social factors.

Sources: Three electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Central) were searched (2005-2017).

Inequality in Utilization of Dental Services: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Dental diseases are among the most prevalent conditions worldwide, with universal access to dental care being one key to tackling them. Systematic quantification of inequalities in dental service utilization is needed to identify where these are most pronounced, assess factors underlying the inequalities, and evaluate changes in inequalities with time.

Objectives: To evaluate the presence and extent of inequalities in dental services utilization.