Oral health care of children benefiting from the Bolsa Familia Program: an experience report

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between socioeconomic status and health conditions is well elucidated in the literature. Individuals who occupy a higher position in the social hierarchy have better health conditions than individuals in immediately lower positions, showing the social gradient of morbidity conditions. In this context, oral health is considered a strong socioeconomic marker, being fundamental for the study of social inequities in health. Objective: To present the experience of the development of oral health actions for benefiting children from the Bolsa Família Program in a city in Minas Gerais and to propose a reflection on the importance of oral health care aimed at populations in social vulnerability starting from the understanding of social determination of health. Experience Report: Refers to a descriptive study, an experience report type, result of the experience of two dental surgeons linked to the Multiprofessional Residency Program in Family Health at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora in 2019. Understanding that children BFP beneficiaries belong to a vulnerable group and risk for oral diseases, oral health actions aimed at this group were carried out. Discussion: Economic, social and political relations affect the way people live and their context and, in this way, end up shaping the patterns of disease distribution. The actions destined to promotion, prevention and recovery of oral health of children benefiting from the BFP put into the principle of equity and integrality practice. In addition, they favored the construction of bonds and increased access to dental services. Conclusion: Within the possibilities of the health system, the oral health care could be incorporated into the health conditions of the Bolsa Família Program in order to reduce the inequities in oral health that affect their beneficiaries.