Cuidado em saúde bucal de crianças com Transtorno do Espectro Autista em Retirolândia-BA

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by repetitive behaviors, inflexibility, and abnormal response to sensations. Sensory sensitivity is a striking feature in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and can hinder oral health care, in addition to triggering food selectivity. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the oral health care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the city of Retirolândia-BA. To this end, a qualitative field study was carried out, focusing mainly on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder treated at the Profº Paulo Morais Specialized Educational Care Center. Focus groups were conducted with community health agents and mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as interviews with dentists, professionals from the Specialized Educational Care Center, and health and education managers. Data production took place between October and December 2024, in a hybrid format, and the meetings were recorded for later analysis. Data analysis was performed through thematic content analysis, which consisted of three stages: pre-analysis, exploration of the material, and treatment of the results obtained and interpretation. The speeches highlighted the Specialized Educational Assistance Center as the main municipal public policy aimed at children with disabilities in the municipality of Retirolândia, operating in the municipal education network. However, in the health area, there are no institutionalized policies for the care of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the narratives point to a fragmentation of oral health care for this population. Dentists have never received training to care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and there is no structured referral flow to the oral health services in the municipality, compromising the comprehensiveness of care. Therefore, it is concluded that oral health care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the city of Retirolândia is not yet being carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Smiling Brazil and the National Policy for the Protection of the Rights of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is therefore urgent to qualify professionals and organize the oral health care network, evolving towards the implementation of the principles of the Unified Health System in Retirolândia. With this in mind, proposals for a training process were drawn up for dentists and professionals from the Specialized Educational Assistance Center on oral health care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.