Percepção da equipe de saúde sobre o trabalho da equipe de saúde bucal na Estratégia Saúde da Família

Abstract

Introduction: Despite advances toward user-centered care and teamwork, oral health practices in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) still largely reflect the biomedical model and, in some settings, remain disconnected from other health services. Objective: To understand health professionals’ perceptions of the Oral Health Team’s work within the Family Health Strategy in Serra Preta, Bahia, Brazil. Methods: This qualitative study included Family Health professionals with at least six months of experience. Workers on vacation, leave, or absent for health reasons were excluded. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus groups using a semi-structured guide. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim with TurboScribe, and analyzed through thematic content analysis, comprising pre-analysis, material exploration, and interpretation of findings. Results and Discussion: Sixteen professionals from Family Health and Oral Health teams participated, including dentists, nurses, physicians, community health workers, oral health assistants, nursing technicians, and an administrative assistant. Three categories emerged: organization of work processes and oral healthcare provision; teamwork and interprofessional care; and care delivery and user relationships. Participants recognized the Oral Health Team's contribution to access, comprehensive care, and support for FHS actions. Challenges included user adherence, interprofessional integration, continuing education, and the incorporation of oral health surveillance into work processes. As a technical product, a practical guide for interprofessional collaborative practice was developed for local Oral Health and Family Health teams to strengthen collaborative practices in Primary Health Care. Conclusion: It was concluded that, from the participants’ perspective, the Oral Health Team plays a relevant role in Primary Health Care and is recognized as a fundamental component of comprehensive care and the expansion of access to health services. Nevertheless, the practices developed remain strongly influenced by a care model focused on individual clinical care and on responding to users’ immediate demands, highlighting the need to strengthen planning strategies, continuing education, and interprofessional work in the daily routine of health services.