The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) is recognized by dentists as a paradigm for professional practices. This was a qualitative study that analyzed the social representations of SUS among these professionals. The study group was formed by dentists whose professional activity was connected with public healthcare services, specifically public servants and university teachers, consisting of three cases: traditional public service professionals in Londrina (Paraná); family healthcare strategy professionals in Curitiba (Paraná); and dentistry school lecturers in Londrina (Paraná). The results showed three possibilities: a lack of knowledge about SUS; knowledge and skepticism; and knowledge and Utopia. It was concluded that SUS is not completely recognized as a reference point for dental care among dentists, and that dentists' adherence to the SUS project was dependent on an association between knowledge of SUS and personal faith in its viability.
Brazilian National Health System; Dentistry; Family health; Social representations; Human resources
