Overview of Dental Radiology in Brazil: availability of equipment and ambulatory production of radiographs

Authors

  • Ronaldo Lira-Júnior Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • Yuri Wanderley Cavalcanti Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • Leopoldina de Fátima Dantas de Almeida Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • Marcelo Augusto Oliveira de Sales Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Keywords:

radiology, health services, dentistry.

Abstract

Objective: To provide an overview of dental radiology in Brazil, based on the
availability of equipment and outpatient production of X-rays.
Methods: An ecological study was conducted by using secondary data from
electronic databases provided by the Health Ministry. For each federal unit of Brazil
(n = 27) the following data were collected: number and distribution of equipment
for dental X-rays (ARXO) as well as its administrative level; outpatient production
of radiographs; total population and population covered in Primary Care. A
comparative and descriptive analysis of these data was made.
Results: There are 34 066 X-ray equipment in operation in Brazil, of which 83.8 %
belongs to the private sector. Among the Brazilian cities, 47.9 % have their own
equipment; however, just considering the public service, 35.6 % of the cities have
dental X-ray equipment. There are 5 6209 people per equipment. In the public
service, there are 20 5916 people enrolled in primary care per public equipment. Regarding the production of radiographs, 94 % were periapical and/or
interproximal.
Conclusions: It is concluded that the amount of equipment is concentrated under
the management of the private service. The outpatient production in dental
radiology is represented by periapical/interproximal radiographs. Serious
discrepancies between the care rendered and the amount of procedures performed
in the public health network have been disclosed.

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Published

2012-07-20

How to Cite

1.
Lira-Júnior R, Cavalcanti YW, Dantas de Almeida L de F, Oliveira de Sales MA. Overview of Dental Radiology in Brazil: availability of equipment and ambulatory production of radiographs. Rev Cubana Estomatol [Internet]. 2012 Jul. 20 [cited 2025 Jun. 7];49(3):223-31. Available from: https://revestomatologia.sld.cu/index.php/est/article/view/2769

Issue

Vol. 49 No. 3 (2012): JUL- SEP

Section

Research Article

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