Puericultura odontológica: relato da implementação em unidades de saúde do interior potiguar

Abstract

The dental childcare program implemented by the Unified Health System is an initiative within the scope of child health that promotes both oral health and the positive relationship between the individual and health in a holistic way. The objective was to report on the implementation of dental and multidisciplinary childcare in the municipality of Currais Novos and the change in habits among infants and their families. It was carried out between April 2022 and December 2023. Monitoring with the participation of the dentist in shared C&D promoted the transmission of oral health habits between generations, improving the rates of cavities and periodontal diseases. The involvement of the Basic Health Unit team is essential to make this practice common in primary care, and the use of playful materials is important to make the educational process fun and replicable. Dental surgeons focused on preventive dentistry are more likely to integrate childcare into health units, which brings benefits to parents, children and health professionals, by absorbing knowledge from different areas for clinical application.