Elderly's accessibility to oral health services: an integrative review

AIM: To analyze the scientific evidence published, relating to accessibility of elderly to oral health services. METHODOLOGY: Databases MEDLINE, LILACS, BBO were used, employing as descriptors: "elderly", "oral health", "health services accessibility". The search was conducted online in pairs including original articles in Portuguese, English or Spanish on the study theme published between January 2005 and November, 2012. RESULTS: Showed studies in several countries, which refer to the regular source of dental care identified as facilitating factor for the recent use of services. Therefore, they point the need to expand the elderly's access to actions and oral health services, mainly associated socioeconomic and cultural issues. CONCLUSION: It is essential to ensure access and motivate the demand for service between dentate and edentulous elderly, explaining to the people the need and importance of attending dental services.