Abstract
Background
Treatment adherence has a crucial relationship with social inequality, which is one of its main barriers.
Objective
To analyze the factors related to non-adherence to dental care of socially vulnerable children according to the perception of an oral health team.
Method
Qualitative study conducted through interviews with an oral health team in a Basic Health Unit (BHU) of the southern region of Londrina, state of Parana, Brazil, from July to September 2016 that aimed to identify and characterize the dental care of children aged 6-9 years residing in the BHU coverage territory.
Results
The descriptive results were analyzed according to treatment adherence, and the interviews interpreted through thematic content analysis. Of the 55 children identified, 30 were often absent, 19 were assiduous, and six never attended treatment. It was verified that the professionals' understanding of vulnerability is related to low socioeconomic conditions. The main reasons for treatment non-adherence were devaluation of the importance of care, prioritization of other tasks, cultural issues, previous suffering, lack of professionals, absence of active search and risk classification, and lack of integration among professionals.
Conclusion
The users are blamed for their situation, and the professionals disregard social vulnerability and disclaim responsibility for total care.
Keywords:
social vulnerability; patient compliance; health care team; child; oral health