Promoção e educação em saúde bucal voltadas para gestantes e cuidadores de crianças de zero a cinco anos do centro de saúde Piratininga

Abstract

Dental caries is the oral disease that mostly affects the Brazilian population and it assumes outstanding position among children up to five years of age. Thus, it becomes necessary to promote an increase in both clinical and preventive care, highlighting the educational actions for the community. Dentists play a fundamental role within the context of infant population oral health, for they have a wide knowledge on etiological agents, preventive measures and control of buccal diseases. Disseminating such concepts is the main goal to be reached. Such measures of health promotion must start immediately, through educational guidance to pregnant women and under five year old child caretakers. The aims for this study were to promote clinical care for the pregnant women and children under five years of age, and also to enhance educational measures for caretakers. Children under five years will get clinical care, while their caretakers will join operative groups on buccal health education. Women up to the 5th month of pregnancy will be referred to clinical care besides becoming members of future mother groups, where they will be trained on self-care and newborn care as well. Both Family Health and Buccal Health teams need to develop effective strategies concerning educational practices in order to change behaviors. Age five or under is ideal to establish adequate nourishing habits and oral hygiene.