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Brazilian Oral Health Policy: factors associated with comprehensiveness in health care

Abstracts

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with comprehensiveness in oral health care in Centers of Dental Specialists, according to the guiding principles of the Brazilian Oral Health Policy. METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional study, based on an interview with 611 users of four specialized dental care centers, was performed in the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, in 2008. The dependent variable was described as "comprehensiveness in oral health care", corresponding to having a primary dental care performed before specialized treatment or concomitantly with it. The main covariables referred to the level of coverage of the family health strategy in the city, users' sociodemographic characteristics, and organizational and geographic accessibility to the service, in addition to the type of specialized care required. RESULTS: Residents of the cities where the Family Healthcare Program had a coverage >50% were more likely to conclude their dental treatment (PR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.33;3.09), compared to those who lived in places with lower coverage. Individuals who sought endodontic treatment were more likely to receive comprehensive oral health care than users who were seeking other types of specialized care (PR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.67;3.19). Users with better geographic accessibility to specialized services (PR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.03;1.41), with a reference guide from primary care (PR=2.95, 95% CI: 1.82;4.78) and coming from primary health care services (PR=3.13, 95% CI: 1.70;5.77) were more likely to achieve comprehensiveness in oral health care than other users. CONCLUSIONS: Users with better geographic accessibility, lower age and need of endodontic services were more likely to receive comprehensive health care. Implementation of Centers of Dental Specialists in cities where primary healthcare is not adequately structured is not recommended, because secondary health care would meet the free demand and perform basic procedures, thus not fulfilling the expected principle of comprehensiveness.

Comprehensive Dental Care; Health Services Accessibility; Dental Health Services; Public Health Dentistry; Health Policy; Cross-Sectional Studies


OBJETIVO: Analisar fatores relacionados à integralidade na assistência à saúde bucal em centros de especialidades odontológicas segundo os princípios norteadores da Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal. MÉTODOS: Estudo exploratório transversal baseado em entrevista com 611 usuários de quatro centros de especialidades odontológicas da Bahia em 2008. A variável dependente foi descrita como "integralidade na saúde bucal", correspondente à realização de tratamento odontológico básico antes do tratamento especializado ou concomitante a este. As principais co-variáveis se referiram a cobertura da estratégia saúde da família no município, características sociodemográficas dos usuários, acessibilidade organizacional e geográfica ao serviço, além do tipo de especialidade demandada. RESULTADOS: Residentes de cidades em que o Programa Saúde da Família tinha cobertura > 50% tiveram mais chance de concluir o tratamento odontológico (RP = 2,03, IC 95%: 1,33;3,09) em relação àqueles residentes em locais com cobertura menor. Quem buscou tratamento endodôntico teve mais chance de receber assistência integral à saúde bucal do que os usuários em busca de outras especialidades (RP = 2,31, IC 95%: 1,67;3,19). Os usuários com maior facilidade no acesso geográfico ao serviço especializado (RP = 1,22, IC 95%: 1,03;1,41), com ficha de referência (RP = 2,95, IC 95%: 1,82;4,78) e oriundos da atenção primária (RP = 3,13, IC 95%: 1,70;5,77) tiveram mais chance de alcançar a integralidade na assistência à saúde bucal em relação aos demais usuários. CONCLUSÕES: Usuários com facilidade de acesso geográfico, mais jovens e necessidade de serviço endodôntico tiveram mais chance de receber assistência integral. A implantação de centros de especialidades odontológicas em municípios nos quais a atenção primária à saúde não esteja adequadamente estruturada não é recomendada, visto que a atenção secundária estaria atendendo a livre demanda e executando procedimentos básicos e, portanto, não cumprindo o princípio da integralidade pretendida.

Assistência Odontológica Integral; Acesso aos Serviços de Saúde; Serviços de Saúde Bucal; Odontologia em Saúde Pública; Política de Saúde; Estudos Transversais


OBJETIVO: Analizar factores relacionados a la integración en la asistencia a la salud bucal en centros de especialidades odontológicas según los principios que guían la Política Nacional de Salud Bucal. MÉTODOS: Estudio exploratorio transversal basado en entrevista con 611 usuarios de cuatro centros de especialidades odontológicas de Bahia, Noreste de Brasil, en 2008. La variable dependiente fue descrita como "integración en la salud bucal", correspondiente a la realización de tratamiento odontológico básico antes del tratamiento especializado o concomitante a este. Las principales covariables se refirieron a cobertura de la estrategia salud de la familia en el municipio, características sociodemográficas de los usuarios, accesibilidad organizacional y geográfica al servicio, además del tipo de especialidad demandada. RESULTADOS: Residentes de ciudades donde el Programa Salud de la Familia tenía cobertura >50% tuvieron más chance de concluir el tratamiento odontológico (RP=2,03, IC 95%: 1,33;3,09) con relación a aquellas que estaban residenciados en localidades con cobertura menor. Quien buscó tratamiento endodóntico tuvo más chance de recibir asistencia integral a la salud bucal en comparación con los usuarios que buscan otras especialidades (RP=2,31, IC 95%: 1,67;3,19). Los usuarios con mayor facilidad en el acceso geográfico al servicio especializado (RP=1,22, IC 95%: 1,03;1,41), con ficha de referencia (RP=2,95, IC 95%: 1,82;4,78) y oriundos de la atención primaria (RP=3,13, IC 95%: 1,70;5,77) tuvieron más chance de alcanzar la integración en la asistencia a la salud bucal con relación a los demás usuarios. CONCLUSIONES: Usuarios con facilidad de acceso geográfico, más jóvenes y necesidad de servicios endodóntico tuvieron más chance de recibir asistencia integral. La implantación de centros de especialidades odontológicas en municipios donde la atención primaria a la salud no se encuentre adecuadamente estructurada no es recomendada, visto que la atención secundaria estaría atendiendo la libre demanda y ejecutando procedimientos básicos y, por lo tanto, no cumpliendo el principio de la integración pretendida.

Atención Odontológica Integral; Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud; Servicios de Salud Bucal; Odontología en Salud Pública; Política de Salud; Estudios Transversales


ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Brazilian Oral Health Policy: factors associated with comprehensiveness in health care

Política Nacional de Salud Bucal: factores asociados a la integración del cuidado

Sônia Cristina Lima ChavesI; Sandra Garrido de BarrosI; Denise Nogueira CruzI; Andreia Cristina Leal FigueiredoI; Bárbara Laisa Alves MouraII; Maria Cristina Teixeira CangussuI

IDepartamento de Odontologia Social e Pediátrica. Faculdade de Odontologia. Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). Salvador, BA, Brasil

IIPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Comunitária. Instituto de Saúde Coletiva. UFBA. Salvador, BA, Brasil

Correspondence Correspondence: Sônia Cristina Lima Chaves R. Araújo Pinho, 62 - Canela 40110-912 Salvador, BA, Brasil E-mail: schaves@ufba.br

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with comprehensiveness in oral health care in Centers of Dental Specialists, according to the guiding principles of the Brazilian Oral Health Policy.

METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional study, based on an interview with 611 users of four specialized dental care centers, was performed in the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, in 2008. The dependent variable was described as "comprehensiveness in oral health care", corresponding to having a primary dental care performed before specialized treatment or concomitantly with it. The main covariables referred to the level of coverage of the family health strategy in the city, users' sociodemographic characteristics, and organizational and geographic accessibility to the service, in addition to the type of specialized care required.

RESULTS: Residents of the cities where the Family Healthcare Program had a coverage >50% were more likely to conclude their dental treatment (PR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.33;3.09), compared to those who lived in places with lower coverage. Individuals who sought endodontic treatment were more likely to receive comprehensive oral health care than users who were seeking other types of specialized care (PR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.67;3.19). Users with better geographic accessibility to specialized services (PR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.03;1.41), with a reference guide from primary care (PR=2.95, 95% CI: 1.82;4.78) and coming from primary health care services (PR=3.13, 95% CI: 1.70;5.77) were more likely to achieve comprehensiveness in oral health care than other users.

CONCLUSIONS: Users with better geographic accessibility, lower age and need of endodontic services were more likely to receive comprehensive health care. Implementation of Centers of Dental Specialists in cities where primary healthcare is not adequately structured is not recommended, because secondary health care would meet the free demand and perform basic procedures, thus not fulfilling the expected principle of comprehensiveness.

Descriptors: Comprehensive Dental Care. Health Services Accessibility. Dental Health Services. Public Health Dentistry. Health Policy. Cross-Sectional Studies.

RESUMEN

OBJETIVO: Analizar factores relacionados a la integración en la asistencia a la salud bucal en centros de especialidades odontológicas según los principios que guían la Política Nacional de Salud Bucal.

MÉTODOS: Estudio exploratorio transversal basado en entrevista con 611 usuarios de cuatro centros de especialidades odontológicas de Bahia, Noreste de Brasil, en 2008. La variable dependiente fue descrita como "integración en la salud bucal", correspondiente a la realización de tratamiento odontológico básico antes del tratamiento especializado o concomitante a este. Las principales covariables se refirieron a cobertura de la estrategia salud de la familia en el municipio, características sociodemográficas de los usuarios, accesibilidad organizacional y geográfica al servicio, además del tipo de especialidad demandada.

RESULTADOS: Residentes de ciudades donde el Programa Salud de la Familia tenía cobertura >50% tuvieron más chance de concluir el tratamiento odontológico (RP=2,03, IC 95%: 1,33;3,09) con relación a aquellas que estaban residenciados en localidades con cobertura menor. Quien buscó tratamiento endodóntico tuvo más chance de recibir asistencia integral a la salud bucal en comparación con los usuarios que buscan otras especialidades (RP=2,31, IC 95%: 1,67;3,19). Los usuarios con mayor facilidad en el acceso geográfico al servicio especializado (RP=1,22, IC 95%: 1,03;1,41), con ficha de referencia (RP=2,95, IC 95%: 1,82;4,78) y oriundos de la atención primaria (RP=3,13, IC 95%: 1,70;5,77) tuvieron más chance de alcanzar la integración en la asistencia a la salud bucal con relación a los demás usuarios.

CONCLUSIONES: Usuarios con facilidad de acceso geográfico, más jóvenes y necesidad de servicios endodóntico tuvieron más chance de recibir asistencia integral. La implantación de centros de especialidades odontológicas en municipios donde la atención primaria a la salud no se encuentre adecuadamente estructurada no es recomendada, visto que la atención secundaria estaría atendiendo la libre demanda y ejecutando procedimientos básicos y, por lo tanto, no cumpliendo el principio de la integración pretendida.

Descriptores: Atención Odontológica Integral. Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud. Servicios de Salud Bucal. Odontología en Salud Pública. Política de Salud. Estudios Transversales.

INTRODUCTION

The Brazilian Oral Health Policy (PNSB), formulated and launched in the Brazilian political agenda in 2004, intended to provide secondary dental care in Centers of Dental Specialists (CDS).10 The CDS are establishments specialized in oral health, with an emphasis on oral cancer diagnosis, specialized periodontics, minor oral surgeries of soft and hard tissues, endodontics and dental care for individuals with special needs.ª a Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Coordenação Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Diretrizes da política nacional de saúde bucal. Brasília, 2004 [cited 2008 Oct 2]. Available from: http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/arquivos/pdf/politica_nacional_brasil_sorridente.pdf.

Studies on the formulation of the PNSB and the incorporation of oral health into the federal government's political agenda indicate that the fact that this was a key issue in the federal government's agenda between 2002 and 2006 was the result of the strategic action of a group of participants involved in the health movement.b b Garcia DV. A construção da Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal: percorrendo os bastidores do processo de formulação [Master's dissertation]. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto de Medicina Social da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; 2006. ,c c Bartole MCS. Da boca cheia de dentes ao Brasil Sorridente: uma análise retórica da formulação da política nacional de saúde bucal formulação [Master's dissertation]. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto de Medicina Social da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; 2006. Evaluation studies focusing on the implementation of policies are essential to make decisions aimed at their improvement and adjustments to their initial formulation.15

The PNSB directives seek universal access and comprehensiveness in oral health care. According to Paim,15 the conceptual foundations of the Brazilian Health Reform originally included comprehensiveness in at least four perspectives: a) integration of health promotion, protection, recovery and rehabilitation actions; b) a type of professional performance that included the biological, psychological and social dimensions; c) guarantee of continuing care in the distinct levels of complexity of health services;12 d) integration of several public policies associated with a set of projects of changes (urban and agrarian reforms, among other things), which dealt with living and health conditions through intersectoral action.

In addition, the coordination between primary and secondary care, here understood as "action or effort in common",d d Starfiel B. Coorenação a atenção: juntano tuo. In: Starfiel B. Atenção primária: equilíbrio entre necessiaes e saúe, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: UNESCO Brasil/ Ministério a Saúe; 2004. p.365-415. also known as "interface" by certain authors,14 has been the focus of attention in recent reforms of European health systems with initiatives to strengthen the primary health system.e e Organização mundial da saúde. Fundo das nações unidas para a Infância. Declaração de Alma Ata: saúde para todos no ano 2000. In: Conferência Internacional sobre Cuidados de Saúde Primários; 1978 set 12 [cited 2008 Dec 10]; Cazaquistão, URSS. 1978. Available from: http://saudepublica.web.pt/05-promocaosaude/dec_alma-ata.htm In these countries, possible forms of interface with secondary care, in addition to the traditional referral to perform procedures, range from "short or long-term" consulting and the common definition of case management protocols to the development of programs of health care shared between specialties and primary care professionals.7,d These paths can also be constructed in local health systems.

However, the expected comprehensiveness, understood as the integration between levels or between promotion and rehabilitation actions, requires good primary care coverage to enable the interface and adequate use of oral health services. This use, in its turn, can also be influenced by the accessibility to services, understood as the relationship between the obstacles imposed by the services and the abilities of users to overcome such difficulties.11 Among the service factors associated with greater use are the adequate offer of procedures, according to the population needs, the geographic and organizational accessibility, and the definition of a health professional to follow each case, particularly specialized procedures.13

The implementation of the CDS can be a relevant strategy aimed at comprehensiveness in oral health care, especially associated with the first and third perspectives indicated by Paim.15 A study by Figueiredo & Góes9 identified different CDS performances, according to the population size and Human Development Index of the covered areas. However, no studies that analyzed the scope of comprehensiveness in oral health care, expected by the above mentioned policy, were found. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the factors associated with comprehensiveness in oral health care in CDS, in the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, according to the guiding principles of the PNSB.

METHODS

An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of 611 users of four Centers of Dental Specialists of different cities in Bahia. The criteria of inclusion of CDS were as follows: a) a ministerial decree published at least one and a half year before; b) minimum number of procedures of average complexity in the Unified Health System Outpatient Clinic Information System (SIA-SUS), in 2007 and 2008; c) municipal management. Even if the city had more than one CDS meeting these criteria, only one center per city was analyzed.

The study population to evaluate access was comprised of all CDS users, including those accompanying children, who required secondary care from May to August 2008. A simple random demand sample was calculated, with proportional allocation per CDS, using the N of outpatient clinic production in 2007 as basis of calculation.

The maximum proportion with a 95% confidence level (P=0.50) was used to estimate variability, considering a maximum error of 8% (d=0.08) between the proportion found in the sample and the actual population proportion4 (Table 1).

Users with a previous appointment were approached and interviewed in the waiting room before this appointment, in different days of the week, to prevent bias associated with the offer of specific procedures per day. The percentage of refusal was lower than 1%.

Accessibility refers to how accessible a service is, when compared to the ability of use by potential users, including the organizational and geographic dimensions that facilitate or hinder this use.5,6

Comprehensiveness in oral health care comprises the integration of oral health promotion, protection, recovery and rehabilitation actions, in addition to the guarantee of integration among the distinct levels of complexity of the health service system, according to Paim & Vieira-da-Silva.16

The interview guide included questions about the main factors associated with the use of health services, described in empirical7,9 and synthesis studies on this theme13 (Attachment ).

The dependent variable was described as "comprehensiveness in oral health care", when the user reported having primary dental care performed before specialized care or concomitantly with it.

The following covariables, related with sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of users, were also included in the analysis: age, household income, level of education, sex and employment. Continuous covariables were categorized by the median.

With regard to organizational access, the variables analyzed were as follows:

a. How the first appointment was made (in person, by telephone, or direct referral from the unit);

b. Origin of user (primary care or free demand, including hospital, emergency room or private dentist);

c. Time the appointment was made (before 8:00am or between 8:00am and 5:00pm);

d. Period of time until the specialized care appointment (number of days between the day when appointment was made and the day of first consultation/procedure in the CDS).

The following variables were considered for the geographic access:

a. Means of transportation used to go to the CDS (on foot or by bicycle, bus and other means);

b. Time spent to go to the CDS (lower or equal to 25 minutes or higher than 25 minutes).

With regard to the procedures performed, the following were analyzed:

a. Procedures required in the CDS (endodontic and periodontal treatments, treatment for patients with special needs, and mucosal lesion/minor oral surgery, in addition to primary care procedures and X-rays);

b. Procedures performed in primary care, which can be preventive (cleaning, supervised oral hygiene and application of fluoride) or curative (dental extractions and restoration).

Coverage of the Family Health Program/Oral Health Team (PSF/ESB) in the city was considered as a covariable of the health system that could influence the guarantee of comprehensiveness in oral health care.

Data were input to the EpiInfo program, version 6.04, and analyzed in the Stata program, version 7.0. Bivariate analysis was performed between the dependent variable and the independent variables with the application of the chi-square test, which resulted in the determination of the prevalence ratio (PR) and respective 95% confidence interval for each characteristic of the study population. Next, multiple analysis was performed, using the Poisson regression method,2 only including the variables associated with the outcome, with a significance level lower than or equal to 0.2, aiming to control possible confounding factors. The variables associated with the outcome, with a significance level lower than 0.05, remained in the model (age, PSF coverage in the city, origin of user, type of procedure in the CDS, period of time to make a specialized care appointment, means of transportation used and reference guide).

This research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Instituto de Saúde Coletiva da Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA) (Register CEP-ISC 005-07, approved on May 31, 2007). All participants signed an informed consent form, guaranteeing anonymity and confidentiality of information.

RESULTS

The majority of participants (73.6%) was female. Mean age was 36.7 years (SD=17.2) and 56.9% (n=286) of individuals had a household income of up to one minimum wage. The most frequent level of education was primary education (46.4%). Among individuals who sought the CDS, 58.4% (n=357) stated that they were having or had already had a certain primary dental care procedure performed. Between 32.4% and 79.5% of users of the four CDS analyzed had primary dental care performed before specialized care or concomitantly with it, thus characterizing comprehensiveness in oral health. Among the primary care procedures already performed, there were few reports of supervised oral hygiene (8.9%). Previous dental cleaning and application of fluoride were reported by 52.3% and 22.5% of participants, respectively. The majority (73.6%, n=449) stated that they arrived at a secondary care service with a reference guide. A total of 61.7% (n=377) of users made an appointment in person, at the reception, to access a specialized care service. However, the majority reported that they did not have to stand in line (64.7%) and that the most frequent time to make an appointment was between 8:00am and 5:00pm (68.6%). The majority of participants arrived at a specialized care service as the result of a referral from primary care (86.9%), although many had done this due to the free demand or other recommendations, such as those from private dentists (13.1%). There was a considerable number of users (n=59) who were in a specialized care service to have a primary care procedure performed (14.9%). The period of time until the specialized care appointment was lower than 15 days in 47.5% of users (n=286).

In the bivariate analysis between the "comprehensiveness in oral health care" variable and the socioeconomic, demographic and access to specialized dental services variables (Table 1), individuals aged up to 35 years (PR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.18;2.27) and those living in cities with a PSF coverage equal to or higher than 50% (PR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.13;2.16) had a greater chance to complete the treatment.

Users who needed endodontic treatment were 2.62 times more likely to complete their treatment than those who sought specialized services to have mucosal lesions treated or minor oral surgeries performed (PR=2.62, 95% CI: 1.57;4.37).

With regard to access to specialized care services, individuals referred by Primary Health Units (UBS) and Family Health Units (USF) of the primary care system were 5.97 times more likely to conclude their primary care treatment than those who arrived due to free demand or a referral from an emergency room or hospital (PR=5.97, 95% CI: 3.47;10.27).

After being referred to a CDS, users who could easily reach this center (on foot or by car) (PR=2.21, 95% CI: 1.48;3.29), who had made an appointment for 16 days later or more (PR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.0;1.90), and who had a reference guide (PR=2.68, 95% CI: 1.85;3.87) had a higher chance to achieve comprehensiveness in oral health care, compared to those who arrived by bus, who had made an appointment for up to 15 days later and who did not have a reference guide (p=0.05) (Table 1).

Table 2 showed the Poisson regression model. In the final model, it was observed that individuals with a greater chance of completing their dental treatment were those who lived in cities with a PSF coverage equal to or higher than 50% (PR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.33;3.09), when compared to others who lived in places where such coverage was lower. In addition, users seeking endodontic treatment were more likely to obtain comprehensiveness in oral health care than those seeking other specialties in the CDS (PR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.67;3.19). Users with easier geographic access to specialized services (PR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.03;1.41), with a reference guide (PR=2.95, 95% CI: 1.82;4.78), who came from primary care services (PR=3.13, 95% CI: 1.70;5.77) and who had made an appointment for 16 days later or more (PR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.17;2.79) continued to have a greater chance of obtaining comprehensiveness in oral health care, compared to other users.

DISCUSSION

The results of the present study revealed that certain factors can be relevant to guarantee comprehensiveness in oral health care in the CDS. The main factor refers to the greater primary care coverage in areas where specialized care services are situated, in addition to lower user age and type of need of service required. In this case, endodontics showed a greater chance of guaranteeing this continuity than the remaining specialties provided in the CDS.

Systematic review studies that discuss factors associated with health service use and, as a result, the possibility of comprehensiveness in oral health care, reveal that the patient's attribution of responsibility to a primary care health professional facilitates access13 to secondary care. In addition, by taking on such responsibility, this professional begins to be acknowledged as one who defends the patient.7,14,d

In a system based on primary care, this works as an entry into the remaining health care levels, also contributing to resource rationalization and improving the use of medical technologies that are more costly and complex.7

Morris & Burke14 describe the ideal interface between primary and secondary oral health care using four characteristics: a) free indiscriminate access to specialized care after referral; b) reference system, where all services that are not available in primary care are provided in secondary care; c) fast and adequate referral, with counter-reference for primary care at the end of the specialized treatment; d) facilitated return to secondary care, whenever necessary.

The analysis of factors relevant to comprehensiveness in oral health care in the CDS studied point to better results where the Family Health Strategy is the way the municipal health system is organized, with an emphasis on an integrated and structured service network, capable of making user reference and counter-reference operational. However, as regards the communication between primary and secondary care, 73.6% of users reported having a reference guide, although this does not guarantee that a certain procedure will be performed in primary care, nor that the quality of this referral will be analyzed. This is considered to be a relevant gap in studies on the coordination of health care or interface.12

In view of this situation, the implementation of centers of dental specialists in cities where primary care is not adequately structured is not recommended. The secondary care services would be exposed to the pressures of the free demand and typical primary care procedures would be performed in them, thus changing their main objective, according to the current national policy,10 which guarantees comprehensiveness in oral health care, providing procedures of higher technological complexity.

A study based on secondary outpatient clinic production data (SIA-SUS) observed that cities with a PSF coverage higher than 50% had worse performance in terms of meeting the goals in general.9 Based on the results observed, the authors suggest that the higher PSF coverage be reviewed as a selection criterion for CDS implementation. The limitation of use of the SIA-SUS databases as the only source should be analyzed for such inference.3 There are countless factors that could interfere with the recording of procedures, including the existence of pre-established goals.d d Starfiel B. Coorenação a atenção: juntano tuo. In: Starfiel B. Atenção primária: equilíbrio entre necessiaes e saúe, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: UNESCO Brasil/ Ministério a Saúe; 2004. p.365-415. In addition, the goals proposed by the ministerial decrees are questionable, once they are not based on the potential offer of procedures per specialty, only considering the type of CDS to achieve this. Such discussion is a relevant gap in the sense of investigating the relationship between the offer and use of these services.

The user makes an investment to have the procedure performed, when the time and transport expenses are taken into consideration. Proximity to the specialized service is important, in terms of its central location, when compared to primary health units. This is a relevant aspect to guarantee comprehensiveness in oral health care found in the present study. It was observed that only 25.2% of users reported ease of access to the CDS (on foot, by bicycle or car). Ferreira & Loureiro8 suggest a reduction in the barrier of access with the increase in the time of consultation, implying a lower number of visits, so that the cost for the patient is reduced.

The present study pointed out that the actions proposed by the PNSB must be integrated to primary care and that their implementation can only have an effect on the guarantee of comprehensiveness with the adequate offer of procedures and reduction in the obstacles to oral health services, including a good rate of utilization by users. A great deficiency in primary care was observed, when it comes to the performance of the essential practice of supervised oral hygiene in the dental chair, because only 8.9% of users reported having had this type of practice performed on this level of health care. Such evidence could have a negative repercussion for the achievement of the expected comprehensiveness.

The main limitation to this study was the use of a demand sample, instead of a population-based sample. In other words, the present study did not identify individuals who did not go to the CDS, only those who did, something that could indicate biased access, as observed by Assis et al.1 It is suggested that specific studies per type of health service need (required specialty) be performed, which would enable more specific analyses from the point of view of the effectiveness of this policy to guarantee comprehensiveness in care per type of health problem.

REFERENCES

Received: 9/21/2009

Approved: 5/14/2010

Research funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia/Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/Programa de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico Prioritário para o Sistema Único de Saúde (Process Nº 0037/2007; PPSUS Announcement).

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Attachment

Attachment - Click to enlarge

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  • Correspondence:
    Sônia Cristina Lima Chaves
    R. Araújo Pinho, 62 - Canela
    40110-912 Salvador, BA, Brasil
    E-mail:
  • a
    Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Coordenação Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Diretrizes da política nacional de saúde bucal. Brasília, 2004 [cited 2008 Oct 2]. Available from:
  • b
    Garcia DV. A construção da Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal: percorrendo os bastidores do processo de formulação [Master's dissertation]. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto de Medicina Social da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; 2006.
  • c
    Bartole MCS. Da boca cheia de dentes ao Brasil Sorridente: uma análise retórica da formulação da política nacional de saúde bucal formulação [Master's dissertation]. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto de Medicina Social da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; 2006.
  • d
    Starfiel B. Coorenação a atenção: juntano tuo. In: Starfiel B. Atenção primária: equilíbrio entre necessiaes e saúe, serviços e tecnologia. Brasília: UNESCO Brasil/ Ministério a Saúe; 2004. p.365-415.
  • e
    Organização mundial da saúde. Fundo das nações unidas para a Infância. Declaração de Alma Ata: saúde para todos no ano 2000. In: Conferência Internacional sobre Cuidados de Saúde Primários; 1978 set 12 [cited 2008 Dec 10]; Cazaquistão, URSS. 1978. Available from:
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      08 Oct 2010
    • Date of issue
      Dec 2010

    History

    • Received
      21 Sept 2009
    • Accepted
      14 May 2010
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