[Oral health in the Brazilian Family Health Program: a health care model evaluation].
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the addition of oral health teams to the Family Health Program in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, by analyzing factors that can affect the process of changing oral health care models. The evaluation involved three dimensions: access, work organization, and planning strategies. 19 counties (municipalities) were randomly selected. The data collection instruments were: structured interviews with health managers and dentists, structured observation, and documental research. The study identified a lack of formal employment contracts for dentists, difficulty in referring patients for high-complexity procedures, and problems with the development of inter-sector activities, epidemiological diagnoses, and work evaluation. Most of the counties showed little or no improvement in oral health care. The counties that had improved their oral health care were the same ones with higher life expectancy, lower infant mortality rates, higher per capita income, and higher human development index (HDI). In conclusion, public policies that include aspects beyond the health sector are decisive for a real change in health care models.
Souza
Tatyana Maria Silva de
TM
Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida das Alagoas 1689, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. tatyanaufrn@hotmail.com
Roncalli
Angelo Giuseppe
AG
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D005192:Family Health; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards*; D009909:Oral Health; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011640:Public Policy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors