Cuidados domiciliares em saúde bucal: percepção de profissionais e gestores da atenção primária á saúde de um município de grande porte de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Home care is growing in Brazil and around the world due to the demographic transition, characterized by the aging of the population and changes in birth and mortality patterns. This context brings with it a series of challenges and transformations in health systems, which demand a more comprehensive and continuous health approach. In this sense, home care stands out as a proposal that seeks to overcome the limitations of the traditional health model, with expanded access to health and humanized care. In Dentistry, this care is not yet incorporated as a routine by the Oral Health teams (eSB), which is why the objective was to evaluate the perception of Primary Health Care (PHC) professionals and managers about the role of eSB in home care. This is a qualitative study, in the context of PHC in the city of Divinópolis, Minas Gerais. Focus groups (FG) were held in an online format with seven participants each and lasting 50 minutes, following a script with guiding questions. The statements were transcribed and thematic content analysis was carried out, from which four thematic nuclei emerged: importance of home care, eSB's role in home care, profile of eSB professionals and weaknesses of home care in Dentistry. The results indicated that there is little knowledge among both managers and professionals about the role of eSB in the home environment. It was reported that the eSB faces difficulties in carrying out activities outside the health units, such as home visits, and that it also does not feel part of the PHC health team. Participants considered it important to discuss oral health care at home and emphasized the need to better structure this service. To achieve this, it is necessary to invest in training professionals and organize the eSB work process, through flows and protocols. Therefore, a home oral health care protocol was drawn up, which was the result of a collaborative construction through the FGs, covering the four thematic centers. Furthermore, the diverse knowledge and perspectives of the participants were also incorporated, respecting the reality of the municipality of Divinópolis. The items were developed in a didactic manner, with diagrams, flows and illustrations. The finalized document was presented and approved by professionals who work in the municipality’s PHC. Given the perception of PHC professionals and managers that there are several challenges for the implementation of home care by eSBs, this protocol represents an important tool to facilitate the organization and direction of the work of eSBs in the home environment in Divinópolis.