Structural characteristics of oral health services in Brazilian primary health care

Abstract This study aimed to describe the structure of oral health services in primary health care in Brazil with centers participating in the second cycle of the 'National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care' (PMAQ-AB), the largest health service evaluation program ever instituted in the country. This cross-sectional study evaluated 16,202 oral health services, regarding 22 pieces of dental equipment and 25 dental supplies. The presence of each piece of equipment/dental supply generated a score for services. The sum of these scores was compared among different regions in Brazil. Quantitative data were described by quartiles and categorical data by frequencies, using the SPSS, version 25. Most of the evaluated centers presented adequate equipment in good using conditions and sufficient dental supplies for primary oral health care. Data also showed a lack of some equipment, such as X-rays, bicarbonate jet, and ultrasound devices, while for dental supplies, a lack of amalgam (capsule and manual preparation), anesthesia without vasoconstrictors, and intracanal medication was found. The services presented a median of 14 pieces of equipment and 22 dental supplies. Of the Brazilian regions, the South presented the highest median, while the North and Northeast regions presented the lowest one. The oral health services presented dental offices with good availability of equipment and dental supplies to perform clinical activities. However, differences in the structure of services among the Brazilian regions was still observed.

Contextual and individual factors associated with dental pain in adolescents from Southeastern Brazil

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with dental pain in adolescents from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Individual data on adolescents aged 15 to 19 years were collected from the SB Minas survey secondary database. Dental pain over the past 6 months, assessed by a questionnaire, was used as the dependent variable. Sex, income, skin color, prevalence of untreated dental caries, periodontal health, dental treatment needs, and time of last dental appointment were analyzed as individual covariates. Allocation factor, Human Development Index (HDI), Gini coefficient, illiteracy rate, unemployment, 50% and 25% of the Brazilian monthly minimum wage, primary healthcare coverage, oral health team coverage, access to individual healthcare, and supervised toothbrushing average rate were the analyzed contextual variables. A multilevel analysis was conducted for the individual and contextual variables. Statistical analyses used hierarchical linear and nonlinear modeling to infer an association between the different levels. Male adolescents had a lower prevalence of dental pain (OR = 0.53; 95%CI = 0.37-0.75). There was an association between dental pain and low income (OR = 1.58; 95%CI = 1.07-2.33), prevalence of untreated dental caries (OR = 1.25; 95%CI = 1.11-1.40), periodontal health (OR = 1.80; 95%CI = 1.04-3.09), and dental treatment needs (OR = 6.93; 95%CI = 3.96-12.14). Sociodemographic and clinical factors at the individual level were associated with the outcome but not with contextual variables. These findings reinforce the need to address these factors for effective community health actions.

A survey about dental instruments at the primary health care in Brazil

Abstract This study describes the structure of oral health services in primary health care in Brazil and the instruments available for the provision of oral health care and to compare the number of instruments according to organizational characteristics of health services and among the macroregions. Of the 23,251 oral health teams (OHTs) in the Public Health System, 17,513 (75.3%) participated in this study. Trained researchers observed the structures of the health services and determined the presence of and whether a sufficient quantity of 36 dental instruments existed. The score of each oral health service was determined by the sum of the number of dental instruments present in sufficient quantity (0 to 36). Central tendency measures were compared along with the variability in these scores according to the organizational characteristics of the services and according to the Brazilian macroregion. No instrument was found to be present in all evaluated services. Basic, surgical and restorative instruments were the most frequently found. Periodontal, endodontic and prosthetic instruments exhibited the lowest percentages. The mean and median numbers of dental instruments were higher for teams that operated over more shifts, those with an oral health technician and those in the South and Southeast regions. The oral health services were equipped with basic, surgical and restorative instruments. Instruments designed for periodontal diagnosis, emergency care and denture rehabilitation were less frequently found in these services. The worst infrastructure conditions existed in the OHTs with the worst forms of care organization and in regions with greater social issues.

Resumo Este estudo descreve a estrutura dos serviços de saúde bucal na atenção primária em saúde no Brasil e os instrumentos disponíveis para a assistência à saúde bucal e compara o número de instrumentais de acordo com as características organizacionais dos serviços de saúde e entre as macrorregiões. Das 23.251 equipes de saúde bucal (ESB) no Sistema Único de Saúde, 17.513 (75,3%) participaram deste estudo. Pesquisadores treinados observaram a estrutura dos serviços de saúde e determinaram a presença e a existência de uma quantidade suficiente de 36 instrumentais odontológicos. A pontuação de cada serviço de saúde bucal foi determinada pela soma do número de instrumentos dentários presentes em quantidade suficiente (0 a 36). As medidas de tendência central e de variabilidade desse escore foram comparadas com as características organizacionais dos serviços e de acordo com a macrorregião brasileira. Nenhum instrumental foi encontrado em todos os serviços avaliados. Os instrumentos básicos, cirúrgicos e restauradores foram os mais frequentemente encontrados. Os instrumentos periodontais, endodônticos e para realização de prótese exibiram as percentagens mais baixas. O número médio e mediano de instrumentos dentários foi maior para as equipes que operavam em mais turnos, aqueles com um técnico em saúde bucal e aqueles nas regiões Sul e Sudeste. Os serviços de saúde bucal estavam equipados com instrumentos básicos, cirúrgicos e restauradores. Os instrumentos indicados para diagnóstico periodontal, cuidados de emergência e reabilitação com próteses dentárias foram menos frequentemente encontrados nesses serviços. As piores condições de infra-estrutura existiam nos ESB com as piores formas de organização de cuidados e em regiões com maiores problemas sociais.

Regional differences in infection control conditions in a sample of primary health care services in Brazil / Diferenças regionais nas condições de controle de infecções em uma amostra de serviços de atenção primária no Brasil / Diferencias regionales en las condiciones del control de infecciones en una muestra de servicios de atención primaria en Brasil

International guidelines have pointed out the importance of the physical environment of health care facilities in preventing and controlling infection. We aimed to describe the physical environment of dental care facilities in Brazil in 2014, focusing on characteristics designed to control infections. Exactly 16,202 dental offices in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) participated in this survey. Trained researchers extracted information about the infection control characteristics of health facilities by using a structured instrument. We used data from 12 dichotomous questions that evaluated the wall, floor, sink and tap conditions, and the presence and condition of sterilization equipment. We calculated a score by summing the number of characteristics handled appropriately for infection control, which could range from 0 to 12. Hierarchical cluster analyses were developed. None of the 12 criteria were met by all the oral health teams. Only 208 (1.3%) dental offices correctly performed all 12-infection control practices. Two clusters, with different frequencies of structure for infection control in dental offices, were identified. South and Southeast regions had the highest frequencies for Cluster 1, with better structure of infection control in dental offices. Dental care facilities of oral health teams were not typically meeting the infection control guidelines regarding clinic design and equipment. Adherence to the guidelines varied among the Brazilian geographic regions.

As diretrizes internacionais destacam a importância do ambiente físico dos serviços de saúde para prevenir e controlar as infecções. Procuramos descrever o ambiente físico em serviços de saúde bucal no Brasil em 2014, com enfoque nas características programadas para controlar as infecções. Precisamente 16.202 consultórios odontológicos no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) participaram na pesquisa. Pesquisadores treinados coletaram informações sobre as características do controle de infecções nesses serviços de saúde, utilizando um instrumento padronizado. Utilizamos dados de 12 perguntas dicotômicas que avaliavam as condições das paredes, piso, pia e torneira e a presença e as condições do equipamento de esterilização. Calculamos um escore pela soma do número de características administradas adequadamente para o controle de infecções, variando de 0 a 12. Foram desenvolvidas análises hierárquicas de clusters. Nenhum dos 12 critérios foi atendido por todas as equipes de saúde bucal. Apenas 208 (1,3%) dos consultórios odontológicos realizavam todas as 12 práticas de controle de infecções. Foram identificados dois clusters com distintas frequências de estruturas para controle de infecções nos consultórios odontológicos. As regiões Sul e Sudeste mostraram as maiores frequências no Cluster 1, com melhor estrutura de controle de infecções nos consultórios odontológicos. De maneira geral os serviços de saúde bucal não atendiam as diretrizes para o controle de infecções, referentes à planta física e equipamento dos consultórios. A aderência às diretrizes variava de acordo com a região do país.

Las directrices internacionales destacan la importancia del ambiente físico de los servicios de salud para prevenir y controlar infecciones. Procuramos describir el ambiente físico en servicios de salud bucal en Brasil en 2014, centrándonos en las características programadas para controlar las infecciones. Precisamente 16.202 consultorios odontológicos del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) participaron en la investigación. Investigadores entrenados recogieron información sobre las características del control de infecciones en esos servicios de salud, utilizando un instrumento estandarizado. Utilizamos los datos procedentes de 12 preguntas dicotómicas que evaluaban las condiciones de las paredes, suelo, fregadero y grifo, además de la existencia y condiciones del equipamiento de esterilización. Calculamos una puntuación para la suma del número de características administradas adecuadamente para el control de infecciones, variando de 0 a 12. Se desarrollaron análisis jerárquicos de clúster. Ninguno de los 12 criterios fue observado por todos los equipos de salud bucal. Solamente 208 (1,3%) de los consultorios odontológicos realizaban las 12 prácticas de control de infecciones al completo. Se identificaron dos clústeres con distintas frecuencias de estructuras para el control de infecciones en los consultorios odontológicos. Las regiones Sur y Sudeste mostraron las mayores frecuencias en el Clúster 1, con una mejor estructura de control de infecciones en los consultorios odontológicos. De manera general, los servicios de salud bucal no atendían a las directrices para el control de infecciones, referentes a las instalaciones físicas y equipamiento de los consultorios. La adherencia a las directrices variaba de acuerdo con la región del país.

Incorporação de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação e qualidade na atenção básica em saúde no Brasil / Incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies and quality of primary healthcare in Brazil / Incorporación de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación y calidad en la atención básica en salud en Brasil

Resumo: As Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) - meios para tratar informação e agilizar comunicação - contribuem para o cuidado. Este artigo descreve a incorporação de TIC na atenção básica e sua associação com a qualidade, utilizando Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ). É um estudo transversal. O universo englobou 17.053 equipes. Criou-se o Índice de Incorporação de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (ITIC) englobando: infraestrutura, sistemas e utilização de informação. Para as associações, realizou-se análise de regressão. Somente 13,5% das equipes possuem grau alto de TIC. É na utilização da informação que se observou a maior força de associação. As TIC contribuem para a melhoria da qualidade da atenção básica.

Abstract: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are means to handle information, streamline communication, and contribute to patient care. This article describes the incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies in primary care and its association with quality, based on the Brazilian National Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality in Primary Care (PMAQ in portuguese). This was a cross-sectional study with 17,053 teams. An Index of Incorporation of ICTs was created, which included: information infrastructure, systems, and utilization. Regression analysis was used to assess associations. Only 13.5% of the teams had a high degree of ICTs. The strongest association was seen in the utilization of information. ICTs can contribute to improving quality of primary care.

Resumen: Las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC), los medios para tratar información y agilizar la comunicación, contribuyen al cuidado de los pacientes. Este artículo describe la incorporación de las TIC en la atención básica y su asociación con la calidad, utilizando Programa Nacional para el Mejoramiento del Acceso y Calidad de Atención Primaria (PMAQ). Es un estudio transversal. El universo englobó a 17.053 equipos. Se creó el Índice de Incorporación de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (ITIC) englobando: infraestructura, sistemas y utilización de la información. Para las asociaciones, se realizó un análisis de regresión. Solamente un 13,5% de los equipos poseen un grado alto de TIC. Es en la utilización de la información donde se observó la mayor fuerza de asociación. Las TIC contribuyen a una mejora de la calidad de la atención primaria.