Public primary oral health care: A bioethical reflection

Abstract

In Brazil, a reduction in the prevalence of tooth decay has been observed recently. However, the distribution pattern of oral diseases still reflects widespread inequality in the access to public preventive and dental care. The oral health status of certain populations highlights the differences in the availability, accessibility and acceptability of education and oral health care. In this context, bioethics can be used as a concrete tool for the discussion, improvement and consolidation of citizenship, human rights and social justice. The purpose of this review is to reflect on Brazilian public primary oral health care from a bioethical standpoint. To do so, it is necessary to start with an analysis of the role of bioethics in public health in Brazil and to approach some of the ethical issues surrounding dental care in the Brazilian public health system. © 2011 Fonseca et al.; licensee EDIPUCRS.