Role of the dentist in the Family Health Strategy in a municipality in the countryside of Bahia

Abstract

The implementation of the Family Health Strategy was considered the priority way to reorganize Primary Health Care and promote significant changes in health care. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of dentists in the Family Health Strategy in a municipality in the countryside of Bahia. This is a qualitative approach, involving of 15 dentists. Data was collected through semi-structured, recorded interviews and the data was processed using the IRAMUTEQ software, using the Descending Hierarchical Classification technique. From the participants' speeches, the significant contribution of internships in health units during training to professional practice was analyzed. Among the collective activities carried out by dentists in their weekly routine, supervised brushing in schools and educational activities with pregnant women and mothers stood out. Some professionals have not yet incorporated home visits into their weekly schedule. Some difficulties were raised by the participants, such as the acquisition of materials for dental care and the preventive maintenance of some equipment, which could limit the use of the municipality's oral health service. Thus, it can be concluded that dentists organize their schedules at health units and do not prioritize preventive and health promotion actions in the community. However, the permanence of curative procedures and the limitations of infrastructure and scarcity of consumables can influence the work of dentists.

Key words: family health strategy; dental care; professional practice; dentists.