Brazilian Oral health teams in primary care and oral cancer: Results of a national evaluation

• Published in: Brazilian oral research Vol. 35; p. e116
• Main Authors: GALANTE, Mariana Lopes, SILVA, Dorival Pedroso da, GABRIEL, Mariana, MICHEL-CROSATO, Edgard, PUCCA JUNIOR, Gilberto Alfredo, BIAZEVIC, Maria Gabriela Haye, CARRER, Fernanda Campos de Almeida
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica - SBPqO 01-01-2021; Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica
• Subjects: Community Dentistry; Dentistry; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; Diagnosis, Oral; Health Services Research; Public Health Dentistry; Community Dentistry; Public Health Dentistry; Diagnosis, Oral; Health Services Research
• ISSN: 1806-8324; 1807-3107; 1807-3107
• DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0116

Abstract Oral cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Brazil. An understanding of how public policies are implemented to address this problem can contribute to the construction of solutions. The “Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade” (PMAQ-AB and PMAQ-CEO) at the level of primary and secondary care are evaluations that also collect data on prevention and monitoring strategies for oral cancer. This study aimed to analyze the results of the incorporation of oral health teams to evaluate the strategies adopted by Brazil regarding the impact on the diagnosis of oral cancer. Of the 17,202 family health teams evaluated, 72.10% had oral health teams (OHT). Considering the strategies for prevention, screening, campaign, and follow-up of suspected cases, 72.27% of the campaign teams and 59.09% of the teams who accompanied suspected cases had OHT. In secondary care, more than 65% of the teams in the Southeast and South regions registered cases of oral cancer, and the referral network was more represented. The inclusion of OHT had a positive impact on campaign actions, follow-up, referral to specialists, and registration of suspected cases throughout Brazil.