Introduction In Brazil about 55% of 6-yrs-old children, even in the highest socioeconomic levels, had never been to a dentist. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with the delay in the first dental visit (DDV).

Methods We used data from the follow-up (2004) of the birth cohort study of Ribeirão Preto (1994), including 1/3 of the original sample (n=790). DDV was defined as the age at the first dental visit after 6 yrs-old. Covariates used were maternal age, education and skin colour, marital status, number of siblings and household members and health insurance. Bivariate and stratified analysis was followed by a logistic regression with hierarchical modelling.

Results Overall, 55.5% had not been to a dentist by the age of 6. The final model showed that DFV was negatively associated with private health insurance (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.97) and with mother's education. Compared to mothers with university degrees the OR for those with <4 years of schooling was 11.0 (95% CI 4.66 to 26.24) and the OR for those with at least 8 yrs of education was 5.49 (95% CI 2.65 to 11.39). Moreover, DFV was positively associated with mothers age (>20 compared to £ 20 yrs-old) 1.77 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.83) and with the n umber of household members (>4 compared with <4 members) 1.73 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.75).

Conclusions Considering the universal system studies are necessary to understand the barriers mothers with low educational level to take their children to the dentist. Grant Fapesp 00/09508-7.