OBJECTIVE: To assess the educational dimension through the perceptions and attitudes of physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants in relation to oral health of chronic renal failure (CRF) children and adolescents at three hospitals of Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: An interview was conducted using open and closed questions with 43 health professionals. An interview was conducted by 43 health professionals using open and closed questions. Data were collected and uploaded into the SPSS 13.0 program. The chi-square test was used, with statistical significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Mean age was 36.5 ± 11.3 years, and 80.0% of the interviewees were female. Most physicians (71.4%, n = 10) and nurses (72.4%, n = 21) believed CRF patients could have some degree of oral alteration due to the disease, loss of enamel and decalcification being the most cited. In regard to oral hygiene care, more than half of the interviewees answered that they used to inform their patients about dental brushing (72.7%, n = 16), flossing (9.0%, n = 2), mouth rinsing (18.1%, n = 4), and tongue cleaning (9.0%, n = 2). Only 9% (n = 2) recommended oral hygiene after the use of oral medicines. According to 65.5% of the nurses and nursing assistants, CRF patients require special care. Most physicians (57.1%, n = 8) do not think this is necessary. Nevertheless, 78.6% (n = 11) of physicians often refer CRF patients to dental services. CONCLUSIONS: According to the methodology used, it was concluded that most health care professionals have some knowledge of oral health, but their attitudes do not reflect this fact.
chronic renal failure; dental education; oral health; children; adolescent; physicians; nurses
