Analysis of teleorientation in dental prenatal care during COVID-19 in Primary Health Care in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil: a case study

Abstract

Introduction: In 2020, faced with a decline in prenatal dental care rates caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, teledentistry, through teleorientation, was implemented in Vitória, ES, with the aim of reorganizing access and ensuring continuity of care for pregnant women. Methodology: This article presents the main findings of a study that aimed to analyze the implementation of teleorientation in prenatal dental care during the pandemic, based on the perceptions of primary healthcare dentists in the municipality. The study identified both the strengths and weaknesses of this action. It is an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative, and quantitative case study involving a sample of 42 dentists engaged in prenatal dental care initiatives during the pandemic. Data were collected using an online semi-structured questionnaire between September and October 2023. Results: Regarding teleorientation, 76.2% of the dentists adopted this strategy, 50% were unaware of existing regulations, 90.5% reported inadequate digital infrastructure at work, and 61.9% highlighted limited access of pregnant women to digital devices, 88.9% of the teleorientation practices were conducted at the workplace, of which 80.5% were carried out through phone calls. Due to its benefits, such as facilitating access and strengthening the professional-patient bond, it was well-received by pregnant women and most professionals (87.8%) recommended the continuation of teleorientation post-pandemic. Conclusion: Thus, teleorientation emerges as a complementary tool that enhances access and oral health surveillance for pregnant women. However, its implementation requires improvements in infrastructure, work processes, digital services, and professional training.