Pré-natal na Atenção Primária: Saberes e práticas em saúde bucal para a gestante e o bebê

Abstract

Prenatal care is part of the health care provided by qualified professionals to pregnant women, to ensure the best health conditions for both mother and baby. About oral health, and considering the comprehensive approach to the health of pregnant women, the National Oral Health Policy (PNSB) establishes that oral health care should be an essential part of prenatal care in Primary Health Care (PHC). This involves health promotion, prevention of oral diseases, recovery of oral health, and recognizing the significant impact of oral health on general health. To get to know the knowledge and practices surrounding prenatal oral health care among pregnant women and their support network, to assess their strategies, applicability and possible barriers to its implementation in PHC, as well as identifying the perceptions and oral health habits of the participants. This qualitative study used individual interview techniques and participant observation, with descriptive and interpretative analysis to construct the data. The aim was to understand the social interactions of pregnant women attended by the Oral Health Team of a Basic Family Health Unit, located in a neighborhood with socioeconomic and structural challenges. The research involved 11 pregnant women and a dental team of a dental surgeon and an oral health assistant, reflecting the commitment to oral health care in the context of prenatal care. The study was approved by the research ethics committee under protocol number 6.878.550. The results were organized into three main categories: (1) the sociodemographic, economic and work profile of the pregnant women; (2) oral health during pregnancy, with subdivisions on access to dental services, self-care and communication with the Family Health Team; and (3) examining the applicability of prenatal oral health care, highlighting the involvement of pregnant women and the effectiveness of the strategies used. The study revealed that although dental prenatal care has advanced, there are significant challenges, such as the persistence of a curative/reactive culture and socioeconomic and labor barriers. Most pregnant women have access to essential oral hygiene items and proper practices, but flossing remains low, aggravated by high sugar consumption and tobacco use. Communication with the Family Health Team (ESF) is positive, but inconsistencies in guidance indicate organizational failures. Despite the team's efforts, adherence to prenatal dental care is still hampered by these structural and cultural difficulties. The final considerations of this study emphasize that, although prenatal dental care meets the oral health demands of pregnant women, there are shortcomings in preventive actions, continuous care and oral health promotion. The curative culture and socio-economic challenges limit pregnant women's adherence to preventive practices. The study suggests greater investment in oral health education and more effective public policies to overcome these barriers. Future studies should explore ways of improving adherence to prenatal care and integrate more varied data collection methods to enrich the analysis.