Characterization of Dental Surgeons of Pernambuco State in the COVID-19 Pandemic Context: Preliminary Data

Abstract Objective: To present the results of preliminary research on the characterization of dental surgeons in the state of Pernambuco, during a pandemic of COVID-19. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and exploratory study, whose population was composed of dental surgeons with active enrollment in the Regional Dentistry Council of Pernambuco. Data collection was performed using an electronic form and included characterization of professionals (gender, age, time since graduation, marital status, family income and field of work) and health status (vaccination schedule, presence of comorbidities, biosafety knowledge and testing for COVID-19). Preliminary data correspond to the first week of collection, which were analyzed from the frequency, proportions, and measures of central tendency distributions. Results: Of the 363 dental surgeons, for the field of work, 38.6% work in both the public and private sectors. Comorbidities related to the worsening of COVID-19 were identified in 35.0% of participants, 24.5% are not up to date with influenza and hepatitis vaccines, and 79.3% have not been tested for COVID-19. Regarding the biosafety instructions for COVID-19, 30.7% received no training. Conclusion: It is necessary to immunize dental surgeons to prevent immunological diseases and expansion of the testing capacity for COVID-19, especially for professionals belonging to the risk group. In addition to guaranteeing the offer of qualification courses on biosafety, which is essential for the safe resumption of activities.

The Regulation of Services in Secondary Oral Health Care in Brazil

Objective: To analyze the regulation of access to Centers for Dental Specialties (CEO) in the 1st cycle of Program for Improving Access and Quality of Centers for Dental Specialties (PMAQ-CEO), specifically the waiting time for the first consultation in association with socioeconomic and demographic factors of users and the characteristics of services. Material and Methods: The quantitative database of the 1st cycle PMAQCEO external evaluation was used, with question directed to the CEO user (Module III - 3.1 and 3.2), which sought to identify user characteristics and access to CEO. To obtain data, a field phase was carried out between months of February to June 2014 in 930 CEOs in all Brazilian states. Results: Users who obtained the first appointment within thirty days of waiting were those who had family incomes above 10 minimum wages; which showed higher schooling; appointment scheduling by telephone made directly to the CEO; and that the consultation was accomplished by "squeeze in" option. Conclusion: It was observed that aspects related to schooling, family income and primary health care coverage influence the waiting time to obtain the first consultation in CEO. There were several ways of referencing of users, and those who performed better were those who shared accountability for the appointments between service and user.

Intersetorialidade e ESF: limites e possibilidades no território de uma unidade integrada de saúde da família / Intersectorality and the Family Health Strategy: limits and possibilities within the territory of an integrated family health unit

Objetivo: descrever os fatores que impedem, limitam e facilitam a intersetorialidade no território de quatro Equipes de Saúde da Família do bairro Jardim Veneza, no município de João Pessoa, a partir da percepção do apoiador matricial. Material e Métodos: Foi utilizada a técnica da análise de discurso com abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram obtidos com a observação participante através do relato de experiência. Resultados: Os trabalhadores têm entendimento sobre a intersetorialidade, sabem ao que ela se propõe, compreendem que o setor saúde não consegue promover a saúde sozinho. Porém, são facilmente desanimados diante da fragmentação das políticas e da falta de diálogo entre os órgãos da administração pública. Conclusões: As equipes estudadas possuem fatores que dificultam a articulação de parcerias, como a falta de perfil dos profissionais e alta demanda de atendimentos. Outros fatores limitantes são as políticas públicas pouco articuladas. Contudo, a realidade existente no cotidiano de trabalho das equipes de saúde da família evidenciam que a intersetorialidade pode ser ampliada quando todos assumirem o interesse público comum como critério de discurso e prática, utilizando as potencialidades locais, sobretudo a partir da micropolítica.

Objective: To describe the factors that prevent, restrict and facilitate intersectorality within four family health teams of Jardim Veneza neighborhood, in the city of João Pessoa, under matrix supporter's perception. Methods: We used the technique of discourse analysis with a qualitative approach. The data were obtained through participant observation experience report. Results: Workers have understanding about intersectorality, know what it assumes and recognize that the health sector cannot promote health by itself. However, they are easily discouraged before policies fragmentation and lack of dialogue between government departments. Conclusions: The studied teams demonstrated factors that hinder the establishment of partnerships, such as the lack of professionals' profile and high demand for care. Other limiting factors are the badly articulated public policies. Nevertheless, the existing reality in the daily work of family health teams show that intersectorality can be magnified when all common public interest is taken together as a criterion of discourse and practice, using local potential, especially from the micropolitics.

Utilização e acesso aos serviços de saúde bucal do SUS - uma comparação entre populações rurais e urbanas / Use and access to oral health services of SUS - a comparison between rural and urban populations

Objetivo: Comparar a utilização e acesso dos serviços odontológicos do SUS entre população urbana e rural. Método: Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo com um desenho do tipo transversal, de base populacional, desenvolvido com uma amostra aleatória e representativa da população registrada nas unidades de saúde da família de dois municípios pernambucanos de pequeno porte populacional. A amostra de participantes foi calculada com referência às pessoas de "idades/faixas etárias índices": cinco anos, 12 anos, 15 a 19 anos e 33 a 44 anos. O total da amostra, já retiradas as "perdas", foi de 949 indivíduos no município "A" e 1.049 indivíduos no município da "B". Utilizou-se o método descritivo e analítico com o teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson. Resultados: No município "A", 80% dos respondentes afirmam já ter ido ao Dentista pelo menos uma vez na vida, contra 67,6% do município "B", sendo no primeiro município 80,1% da população urbana e 79,9% da rural e no segundo com 64,4% (urbana) e 70,8% (rural). No entanto ao particularizar as idades de 15 a 19 anos esta diferença não foi significativa para os dois municípios analisados. No município "A", 70,5% consideraram o serviço público odontológico bom ou ótimo enquanto que esta avaliação se repetiu no município "B" em 64,5% dos entrevistados. Conclusão: O município "A" apresentou maior acesso e melhor utilização do serviço de saúde bucal do SUS na média da população total quando comparado com o município "A". Porém, adolescentes bem como moradores das áreas rurais continuam em situações desfavoráveis. Tais constatações podem ser melhor caracterizadas por outros estudos que aprofundem determinantes relacionados à organização do serviço.

Objective: To compare the access to and use of dental services at public health units (SUS) between the rural and urban populations. Method: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, population-based study, with a random and representative sample of the population registered in family health units in two small-sized cities of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The sample of participants was calculated referring to the people "age / age group indexes": 5 years, 12 years, 15 to 19 years and 33 to 44 years. The total sample, discounting the "losses", included 1049 individuals in the city "A" and 949 in city "B". Descriptive and analytical method with the chi-square test was used. Results: In the city "A", 80% of respondents said they had gone to the dentist at least once in their lifetime, compared with 67.6% from the city "B", being 80.1% of the urban population and 79.9% of the rural population in the city "A" and 64.4% of the urban population and 70.8% of the rural in the city "B" However, in the 15-19-year-old age group in both cities, this difference was not significant. In the city "A", 70.5% of the respondents considered the public dental services good or excellent, while in "B", 64.5% had the same opinion. Conclusion: The average population in the city "A" presented wider access and better use of the SUS oral health services, compared with the city "B". However, adolescents and residents of rural areas remain in an unfavorable situation. These findings can be best characterized by further studies to investigate the determinants related to dental service organization.