Analysis of Endodontic Production at Dental Specialty Centers in the Northeast Region of Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The Dental Specialty Centers (CEOs) are outpatient units of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) offering specialized services such as oral diagnosis, periodontics, minor oral surgery, endodontics, and care for people with special needs. Objective: To analyze the volume of endodontic treatments at CEOs in Brazil’s Northeast region from 2019 to 2024. Methodology: Data were obtained from DATASUS/TABNET and the number of CEOs was gathered from the Ministry of Health website. Evaluated procedures included endodontic treatment and retreatment in permanent teeth with one, two, or three or more root canals, excluding deciduous teeth. Population estimates were based on IBGE data. Statistical analysis employed log‑linear regression using Joinpoint software, with p < 0.05. Results: There was an increase in endodontic treatments in single‑canal teeth in states such as Sergipe, Bahia, and Alagoas, and a decrease in Rio Grande do Norte, Piauí, and Maranhão. Sergipe showed the largest increases in treatments of teeth with two canals and three or more canals. Paraíba had the highest average treatment rates for all tooth types, while Bahia and Sergipe recorded the lowest. Retreatment procedures increased in Ceará, Bahia, Sergipe, Rio Grande do Norte, and Piauí. Regarding CEO availability, Paraíba had the most favorable ratio (1 CEO per 41,000 inhabitants), whereas Bahia, Maranhão, and Sergipe had the least favorable (each with more than 170,000 inhabitants per CEO), highlighting inequalities in access to care. Conclusions: Despite advances under the National Oral Health Policy (PNSB), regional inequalities persist. It is therefore necessary to expand the network of CEOs, train staff, and strengthen regulation to ensure equitable access and effective dental care.

Keywords: Endodontics; Secondary Health Care; Unified Health System; Dentistry.