The challenge of the approach to oral cancer in primary health care

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 1579 - 1587
• Main Authors: Noro, Luiz Roberto Augusto, Landim, Jordânia Rodrigues, Martins, Mychele Cavalcante de Andrade, Lima, Yuliana Castro Ponciano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: ABRASCO - Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva 01-05-2017
• Subjects: PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH; Mouth neoplasms; Basic health services; Neoplasias bucais; Saúde bucal; Oral health; Serviços básicos de saúde
• ISSN: 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232017225.12402015

Abstract The aim of this study was to understand the performance of dentists in public health about mouth cancer. A cross-sectional study was performed whit 121 dentists from Fortaleza Health Department, interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. The study did not identify statistically significant difference regarding the ability to perform biopsy by gender, year of graduation, expertise or time of public service. Only 22 professionals (18.2%) reported being able to perform biopsies and 13 (10.7%) would do so at the Family Health Unit. The reference and counter-reference system, by including another stage in patient care, increase the possibility of absenteeism from patient to health service. Although clearly identify the relevance of oral cancer mortality in the population, the vast majority of dentists is not equipped to perform the biopsy as a routine activity. Whereas the vast majority of biopsies of the oral tissues is performed as an outpatient, low technological complexity to perform the procedure and the effectiveness of biopsy in the early diagnosis of oral cancer, it is essential to hold this procedure in primary care, what can effectively contribute to decreasing mortality from oral cancer.