II Programa de Pós-Graduação em

Regular use of dental services among adults and older adults in a vulnerable region in Southern Brazil OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of regular use of dental care services by adults and older adults residing in vulnerable community and to identify associated factors. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 3,391 adults and older adults residing in areas of social vulnerability in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, from July to December of 2009. A systematic sampling method was used the selection probability proportional to the population of each of the the 121 census sectors. The outcome for regular use of dental care services was defi ned as regular use of dental services, regardless of the presence of dental problems. A standardized questionnaire was administered