PURPOSE: To trace the Speech-Language Pathology profile of the Dendê community, characterizing aspects of oral and written language, voice, hearing and orofacial myology, based on referred complaints. METHODS: Exploratory-descriptive study, carried out with the application of a protocol that addressed general and Speech-Language Pathology aspects, based on information available on the records of 335 families assisted by Speech-Language Pathology at the Dendê community, totalizing 1704 subjects. RESULTS: Great part of the families at Dendê (70%) earns up to two minimum wages. It was observed that 20.6% of the children had language complaints, and 21.2% of these complaints regarded learning difficulties. Pacifier sucking habits were observed in 50.4% of the children, and 42.2% of the children up to two years old used nursing bottles. Children between two and six years old also presented high occurrence of these habits: 31.2% used nursing bottles and 29.7% used pacifiers. Thumb sucking was observed among 9.1% of the children older than six years old. There was a low percentage of hearing and voice complaints, reported by 2.2% of the population. CONCLUSION: It was verified that most prevalent Speech-Language Pathology alterations were related to the presence of oral habits, followed by oral and written language aspects. Nevertheless, a low level of hearing and voice complaints were reported. A situational diagnosis helps redirecting the activities practiced in the community, aiming its population. This is achieved through educational initiatives of health prevention and promotion, which should lead to better, quicker and more efficient results.
Language development; Habits; Health profile; Speech-language pathology; Prevalence; Language disorders; Voice; Hearing; Stomatognathic system
