The work of oral health teams in the COVID-19 pandemic according to health managers

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to characterize the work of professionals from oral health teams in the public service, in the COVID-19 pandemic, from the point of view of managers. This is a cross-sectional, quantitative-qualitative study, with 163 municipal health managers in Bahia, who answered a virtual questionnaire, from June to October 2020. The descriptive analysis of the quantitative data was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science, and Thematic Analysis was applied to the subjective responses, using IRaMuTeQ. The scope of action of oral health teams, which operate at all levels of health care, was recognized as broader than the traditional in this period. The pandemic emphasized the chronic problems in the working conditions of dentists, technicians, and oral health assistants in the public service, such as the lack of dental instruments and supplies, the precarious maintenance of dental equipment, the fragility of employment relationships, and the inadequate physical structure in the health units, compromising biosecurity. Thus, there is an opportunity to identify and implement necessary changes not only in the context of a health crisis, but in the post-pandemic period.

KEYWORDS
Dental care team; Dentists; COVID-19; Dental staff; Oral health