Working conditions of oral health teams in the Family Health Program: The case of North Health District in Natal, RN, Brazil

Abstract

This article verifies the working conditions of oral health teams (OHT) in the Family Health Program (FHP). The target population in the research was composed of all dentists working in basic health units (BHUs). Questionnaires were used to identify the operational characteristics, physical environment, equipment availability, autonomy, power of decision, and integration with FHP teams. The results demonstrate that some aspects identified by the dentists as limitations to their work are: workplace with inadequate physical structure, equipment availability, inadequate instruments and materials for their daily routine, absence of reference and counter-reference articulation so that more complex needs are met, as well as the inability of health professionals to work in teams. Despite difficulties, there is some understanding that the inclusion of oral health actions in the North Health District in Natal incorporated new values to the practice, making it possible to replace traditional practices with a new way of promoting health.