The importance of breast-feeding has been addressed through multi-professional approaches. As healthcare practitioners, dentists are included in this context and - due to the close links between breast-feeding and the development of the stomatognathic system - should be able to advise pregnant women and new mothers on this practice, with countless benefits for mothers and their babies. This paper thus presents up-to-date and enlightened information through a review of the literature that supports the benefits of breast-feeding, urging heightened awareness of its importance and the preparation of policies and actions implemented through Brazil's National Health System (SUS) that rank breast-feeding as a high-priority goal.
Breast-feeding; Public health; Oral health; Brazil's National Health System (SUS)