Formação e disposição dos profissionais da assistência odontológica para o cuidado em saúde mental

Abstract

People with mental disorders have a higher prevalence of oral diseases. In Brazil, in line with the Sistema Unico de Saude, mental health policy is based on the decentralization of psychiatric care and the development of a diversified network to provide accessible and efficient treatment for people with mental disorders. As part of the primary health care team, dentists can identify patients with possible mental health alterations and dental conditions that may be caused by or associated with mental illness. The objective of this study was to analyze the teaching about mental disorders in adults and the perceptions, limitations and disposition of dental students and professionals regarding the mental health conditions of patients who require specialized monitoring and who seek dental care. In the first study, based on data available in the e-MEC database and on websites of higher education institutions, pedagogical projects, curricular matrices, syllabi and teaching plans of undergraduate dentistry courses in the state of Minas Gerais were evaluated to verify the presence of content related to the teaching of mental disorders and psychopathology. Analysis of the documents revealed that, of the 40 courses evaluated, only five presented some approach to psychopathology or mental disorders. A second study with qualitative methodology was conducted through five focus groups, composed of students, professors and dental care professionals from the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, using a semi-structured script by a moderator and an assistant. The data were recorded by audio and video capture and then transcribed in Microsoft Word software and subsequently subjected to thematic analysis using the Braun and Clarke approach. With a total of 24 participants, the focus groups consisted of 3 to 6 participants and had an average duration of 50 minutes. Five themes emerged: skills and competencies; perception of the problem; coping strategies; limitations and willingness to act. The results suggest a deficiency in the teaching of dental care professionals regarding the mental health of patients, which was observed through reports in focus groups and through the analysis of documents from undergraduate courses. However, the study participants demonstrated perception regarding the impact of patients' mental health on dental care, were able to suggest alternatives for coping with related problems and were also willing to collaborate with mental health care.