Referencing and counter-referencing in specialized dental health procedures in Campinas in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

This article aims to evaluate the referencing of the demand for specialized care in oral health in Campinas in relation to the distribution of treatment and the influence of socio-economic variables in addition to the perception and information available to users in relation to counter-referencing. It is an observational exploratory study, selecting two Health Administrative Regions: one with a Center for Dental Specialties and one without, divided into two phases: 1) all referrals to secondary care were collected from all Oral Health teams as well as population and socio-economic data and distribution of referrals; 2) interview with 331 users, checking the counter-referencing, quality of service and reasons for absences or withdrawals. Regarding the counter-referencing, the majority of users who received the specialized treatments were well attended, and waited less than one month for appointment scheduling. The management model did not statistically influence access to secondary care in oral health. It was found that in a given Health Administrative Region the discrepancies were less evident and there was a correlation coefficient of demand attended with socio-economic variables, in addition to a lower percentage of non-attendance, demonstrating a greater commitment to integrity and fairness.

Oral health; Access to health services; Equity