Child use of dental services and receipt of dental care in New Zealand.

AIM To examine dental service use and dental care receipt by a range of factors among Maori, Pacific and New Zealand European or Other children in New Zealand. METHODS Data were from the 2002 National Children's Nutrition Survey. Bivariate associations were calculated between three dental service use and dental care receipt measures, and 48 personal characteristics in five domains. Analyses took into account the complex sampling design. RESULTS Some 3275 children participated; 37.4% Maori, 32.3% Pacific and 30.3% New Zealand European or Other. Irregular dental attendance was associated with children who were 11-14 years, Pacific, had not always lived in New Zealand, lived in rented accommodation, frequently watched television, consumed breakfast on the way to school, purchased lunch, consumed sugar-containing products or had food security issues. A higher proportion of children who were aged 11-14 years, Maori, had low household income, lived with 4+ children, regularly watched television, consumed breakfast on the way to school, frequently consumed high-sugar foods, had food security issues, experienced dental pain at night or had received dental care under a general anaesthetic had received a restoration. Extraction receipt was associated with children who were Pacific, had low household income, had a disability, purchased their lunch, regularly consumed high-sugar-containing products, had food security issues, had experienced dental pain at night or received dental care under a general anaesthetic. CONCLUSIONS Material and behavioural factors all play a role in New Zealand child use of dental services and receipt of dental care.