Estudo comparativo de critérios utilizados no programa saúde da família na priorização do tratamento da cárie

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate 2 classification criteria used in the prioritization of dental caries treatment in the Family Health Program. The research took place in the city of Ipiguá SP and included 538 five to twelve year-old children registered in public schools and attended by the local Family Health Unit. An oral examination and the fulfilling of the two classification criteria were done for the same children in order to evaluate the priorities in curative odontological care resulting from each of the criterion. Among the 538 children who were examined there were 313 (58,3%) in need of curative treatment. Based on the activity of the caries, it was possible to verify that 236 children (75,4%) were considered first priority in odontological care, while the criterion based on the amount and the size of the cavity included 73 children (23,4%). According to the criteria, 186 children (59,4%%) did not fit into the same priority of curative treatment for caries. The criteria for classification of caries used in the registration of the oral health conditions are very different in determining the priority of curative odontological treatment. Therefore, more studies related to the subject should allow creating a pattern for registration of the oral health conditions of children who use the Family Health Program.