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Implementation of Dental Specialty Centers in the context of health regionalization in the state of Ceara, Brazil

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the regional implementation of the Dental Specialty Centers (CEO) in the state of Ceara, Brazil. It is an evaluative research based on a case study with a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 key informants from management and academia, complemented by document analysis and non-participant observation, in 2018. The content analysis considered the regionalization process and the trajectory of oral health policy in the state. There was a strong induction and leadership of the State Department of Health, which allowed the insertion of oral health in the process of regionalization of health care. There was a large-scale implementation of Regional CEOs, as opposed to the municipalist guideline induced by federal policy. The following stand out as facilitating factors: the expertise of the state actors involved in conducting the policy, the anticipation of the state oral health policy to national guidelines and the implementation of the Public Health Consortia responsible for organizing and offering specialized services in health regions. The experience of Ceara suggests the importance of the regional approach for strengthening and consolidating full access to oral health within the scope of the Unified Health System.

Keywords:
oral health; health public policy; Regional Health Planning; Dental specialties; Brazil

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