O acompanhamento, crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil na Atenção Básica de Saúde: a inserção do dentista no processo do cuidar

Abstract

The Family Health Strategy (ESF) proposes to reorient health services within the scope of SUS Primary Care. Growth and Development (CD) consultations are part of ESF actions and are intended to assist the healthy growth of children, with the purpose to help their full development. In this direction, dental care and health assistance started during the first months of a child's life and subsequent follow-up, can greatly contribute to the prevention of oral diseases and also improve the acceptance of dental treatment when necessary. The objective of this study was to analyze the insertion of dental procedures in the ESF consultations, within the scope of the ESF, as well as to know the dentists' perception about the theme and the oral health actions offered by them. This is a qualitative research, exploratory of interventionist character whose data collection instruments were the questionnaires and focus group, applied to the dentists of the ESF, a medium-sized municipality in the northeast of Brazil. The material obtained was transcribed and subjected to content analysis as recommended by Bardin. Two categories emerged from the analysis: dentists' conceptions of CD and actions developed by dentists in CD. The results indicated that oral health presents as potentiality in the GD consultations, strengthening the care process and contributing to the expansion of children's oral health. Meantime, these actions happened spontaneously, according to the desire and understanding of dental surgeons. Like this, it was necessary to systematize oral health care for CD consultations, through the organization, collaboratively and as devolutive to service, of a dental care protocolo on the CD, as well as continuing education courses, instituting, officially such practice in the municipality.