The Oral Health Team in the Family Health Strategy: Trajectories and Challenges

Abstract

© 2018 Colodette et al. Objectives: The objective of this study was to review literature focused on the introduction of Brazilian oral healthcare service models, incorporation of Oral Health Teams (OHTs) within the Family Health Strategy (FHS), changes occurring in the work process of the professionals that make up OHTs, difficulties for successful implementation of this new healthcare model and impacts on indicators of oral health. Methods: A review of the literature was conducted through an electronic consultation of the Pubmed and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases published between 2001 and 2016, using a combination of descriptors. We selected 44 studies for review. Results: Oral healthcare in Brazil evolved from exclusionary and curative models to those aimed at prevention and promotion of health. The increase in government resources dedicated to oral healthcare in Brazil represented an improvement in access to dental treatment, however, some studies demonstrated that OHTs within the FHS still operate by the traditional curative models. Conclusion: Lack of proper planning for hiring OHTs and precariousness of their work contracts were also reported. The need for better managerial planning for implementation of OHTs within the scope of the FHS was demonstrated.