Educação profissional para promoção da saúde bucal por agentes comunitários de saúde

Abstract

Introduction: Community Health Agents (ACS) have the potential to collaborate with dentistry professionals from the Family Health Strategy (ESF), establishing a partnership for popular education in oral health. Objective: The aim of this dissertation is to understand the education needs and competency development among Community Health Agents linked to the Family Health Unit Felipe Camarão I (Natal/RN) for oral health promotion practices. Methods: To achieve this objective, we sought to identify the perceived professional education needs in oral health by ACS, as well as their knowledge on the subject. In the first phase of the research, of a bibliographical nature, a narrative literature review was conducted, resulting in the development of a digital book chapter, while in the second phase, an empirical study with a qualitative approach was carried out, involving 17 ACS from the six teams of the mentioned ESF unit, in groups interviews, with thematic content analysis of their speeches. Results: Thematic analysis revealed categories that can guide the construction of popular education strategies in oral health in the community. The main identified categories were: Contents (oral health topics and methodologies), knowledge (know-how, practices, learning, and motivations), and setting (users and service). The most frequent topics were "cavity" and "tooth hygiene," which was expected given the relevance of these subjects in oral health. Concern about scarce resources for oral hygiene also emerged, indicating the need for accessible solutions for the community. A critical-reflexive understanding of practices was demonstrated, recognizing the interrelation between oral health and systemic health, and the awareness that cavities are socially determined and preventable diseases. However, they still omit guidance on oral health during home visits, in part because they feel inadequately trained for this approach. Most ACS mentioned health education activities in neighborhood schools as the main form of learning. The motivation of ACS to participate in professional education activities in oral health was clearly recorded. The setting was characterized by high unmet demand and limited dental service provision, with the community's culture regarding queuing for dental appointment cards identified as a challenge. In the book chapter, the following topics were addressed: ACS and intersectoral action; ACS and the principles of primary health care; professional profile of ACS; Oral health and ACS; and ACS gaining ground in their field of work. Conclusions: In the field study with focus groups, ACS raised issues reflecting a critical-reflexive construction of health practices, aiming at transforming experienced realities. ACS motivation to participate in oral health education activities is a valuable resource that should be leveraged to strengthen the role of these professionals and improve community oral health. Through the elaboration of the chapter, it was possible to highlight ACS as an important element in the interprofessionality of ESF and as a mediator between the community and the health team, in addition to their educational function as critical factors for the success of this approach.