Abstract

VOLPATO, Luiz Evaristo Ricci  and  SCATENA, João Henrique. Analysis of the oral health policy of Cuiabá Municipality, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, using the outpatient Information System database of the national Public Health System (SIA-SUS). Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2006, vol.15, n.2, pp.47-55. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742006000200006.

The scientific development of dentistry in Brazil has achieved notable success. However, there remains no well-defined oral health policy and a significant proportion of the population has no access to dental care. This study examines the oral policy in the Municipality of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, analyzing relevant data collected from the Hospital Outpatient Information System (SIA) of the National Unified Health System (SUS). Dental procedures were grouped into nine categories, from collective procedures to odonto-radiology. The number of consultations realized and financial resources applied were analyzed during the period 1995 to 2002. A tendency towards an increase in production and expenses was observed from 1996 and 2000, with a fall in the two subsequent years. The increase was greatest for more specialized procedures, while the largest decrease was for basic procedures. The Municipal Health Secretariat emphasized other areas of care rather than oral health during the last two years, and the Oral Health Coordination may have given more priority to dental clinic consultations, thus explaining the large reduction in basic care compared to specialized care. The SIA-SUS performs an important role in the assessment of oral health policy at the State, municipal, and national levels, especially if linked to other data sources.

Keywords : oral health; public health; Hospital Outpatient Information System.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )