La salud bucal en la percepción del adolescente

Objective An individual does not always experience the best health and vitality indexes during her/his adolescence. This study evaluated young people's awareness of their oral health and the factors involved in dental maintenance and promotion Material and Method Adolescents (n=493) from the Mirim Foundation in the town of Araçatuba in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were asked to fill in a semi-structured questionnaire. Results 68.4 % of the youngsters interviewed regarded oral health as referring to hygiene and 16.2 % to physical appearance; 53.6 % of the group perceived their oral health to be good and 24 % optimum. 90.1 % indicated oral hygiene when asked how oral health could be ensured; however, only 4.8 % mentioned brushing their tongues. Physical appearance (62.9 %) was one of the main reasons stated as being important for teeth. A statistically significant relationship was observed between perception of regular dental and mouth health and having visited the dentist at least six months beforehand (x2=30.75; p<0.05). Conclusion Even though the youngsters had a general idea regarding their oral health, its maintenance and promotion, better information should be made available regarding such topics and be approached through health education so that these adolescents can have good oral health for the rest of their lives, as well as becoming knowledge multiplying agents for those who do not have access to the same information.

La política de salud en Cuba en el nuevo milenio: la contribución del Trabajo Social

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Acogimiento en el proceso de formación de los odontologos en Brasil: un analisis en el contexto del Sistema Unico de Salud (SUS)

To define the profile of Dentistry’s academics, on the welcoming reception of patients/users attended in the Public Institution, under the guidelines of the SUS. Methods: A structured questionnaire was applied to 163 students, which contained questions that covered five variables (reception, dialogue and listening, action and care first contact, professional identity) and conducted an interview to associate to responses obtained during the first phase. Quantitative data were tabulated and analyzed by descriptive statistics in SPSS 16.0 and qualitative data analyzed through discourse of the collective subject. Results: It was observed that, intellectually, the most of student (70.7%) understand the concept and the repercussion of the welcoming reception process in health and many have caring characteristics. However, the pedagogic system formation makes it difficult or systemizes an integral and spontaneous welcoming action. Conclusions: The academics have the embracement profile but it is need more motivation in the humanization of the university teaching.