The objective of this study was to analyze the oral health care model in nine cities of the state of Pernambuco on the basis of statements of the Oral Health Primary Care Coordinators. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the coordinators for collecting data about the oral health care model adopted by the local authorities, about their activities as coordinators, their qualification, the practices developed by the dental surgeon making part of the Family Health Team, and about basic care procedures and reference and counter-reference networks. The data collected in the interviews were evaluated using a qualitative methodology and a matrix was created for classifying the cities according to the profile of their professionals and the actions and services offered. The results showed that among the analyzed cities three fitted into the category "structured", five into the category "semi-structured" and only one was considered "not-structured". This indicates that the greater of the cities is facing difficulties in structuring oral health care, mainly as refers to incorporation of new care practices and to the professional qualification of dental surgeons and oral health coordinators.
Oral health; Family Health Program; Health policy
