A saúde bucal infantil: a percepção de profissionais da saúde, da educação e dos pais ou dos responsáveis da região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte

Abstract

Objective: To know the perception of health professionals, of education professionals, and of parents or guardians about the oral health of children aged 0 to 5 years in a city in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. Methodology: The study used a qualitative approach and as an instrument of data collection, the focus group, conducted with two groups: one with guardians and another with professionals. Content analysis was performed according to Graneheim and Lundman, using as theoretical reference the guidelines of the National Oral Health Policy for this age group. Results: Three themes common to both groups were identified: the role of the service, the family and the school in health production. The professionals perceived the service as resolutive, with a coordinated flow of consultations between prenatal care and dentistry. Those responsible for the children considered the service's action in prevention from birth, oral health education and assistance to pregnant women to be important. Those responsible for the children recognize their role from breastfeeding to oral hygiene care and habits and considered these tasks to be difficult. The professionals understand that school actions are impactful in promoting children's health. Conclusions: The participants consider that the family is responsible for the child's care, together with the school and health services, and that this care should start from conception, with the pregnant woman. These results will be important data for a proposed action in the study municipality.