Oral health in the family health strategy: perceptions of professionals and family carers

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the perception of professional and family carers of ESF regarding oral health care forchildren up to 2 years old and actions developed for these subjects. This is an exploratory descriptive qualitative study. Subjects were19; 9 professionals and 10 family carers. Data were collected using a semi-structured script for interview and data treatment used thecontent analysis technique developed by Bardin. The 8 categories arriving from discourses were grouped; they are extended care x amedical-centric Model, Perception of extended care in oral health, Assistance and care in oral health, oral health in daily professionalpractice, Influence of family relations in oral care, family and dentist shared oral care, harmful oral habits and early infant teeth decay.The study identified the perception of oral care of both groups and how professional actions are developed in this context. It also evidencedthat the responsibility for oral care offered to children must be shared by the health team and family carers, so that actions areeffective and guarantee integral care of children.