Profile of the dentists that participate in the family health program of Teresina (PI)

Abstract

Introduction: The Family Health Program (FHP) has been consolidating itself as a model of healthcare as it allows a closer approach between the professionals and their working field, besides establishing links of commitment and co-responsibility with the community. The National Health Ministry, in 2001, made buccal health part of the program aiming to make dentistry care more accessible to the population. Materials and Methods: Application of questionnaires to 113 dentists who work for FHP in Teresina (PI). Results: The majority of the dentists are females, decided to work for the program for feeling inclined towards public health work. They have been trying to insert themselves into the new model of health care. Positive reports about the program included a good interaction with the team and the possibility of getting capacitated on the public health field. The work is carried out on the basis of one shift a day, adding up to 35 hours a week. Home visits were done by 70.8% of the dentists. Restorative procedures are predominant. Not all patients referred to secondary care returned. Conclusions: The work philosophy was partially followed regarding the initial situation of the families when the dentists were first inserted on the FHP, the existence of a great deal of reprimanded demand and accumulated needs has proved to be an obstacle to replace the traditional model by the one based on the doctrinaire principles of S.U.S., and it is necessary to improve the reference and counter-reference service.
UNITERMS: public health; FHP, professional formation.