Abstract
The Brazilian population is aging and in a feminization process. Among the most prevalent chronic diseases in the elderly, depression directly impacts the perception of oral health, with reflexes on self-image and self-esteem. This descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, aimed to analyze the perception of elderly women with symptoms of depressive disorders at a family health unit, about access and care in oral health and self-perception of oral health and its relationship with quality of life. The study included 20 women aged 60 or over, registered at a family health unit in Ribeirão Preto-SP. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were carried out, later transcribed, and analyzed through the Content Analysis technique. The results expressed an important relationship between self-perceived oral health and quality of life, barriers to access to oral health care, the importance of popular knowledge in self-care practices, self-perception of the mouth as part of their general health, and feelings of dissatisfaction and insecurity due to the lack of information, associated with the experience of a mutilating curative model. The importance of actions with an expanded approach and in a multidisciplinary team is emphasized, focusing on integrative care and quality of life for the elderly.
Keywords:
Aged; Mental health; Health Care Quality; Access and Evaluation; Dental Care