Saúde bucal no cárcere: experiência e desafios da prática do cirurgião-dentista no sistema prisional

Abstract

The present study presents an experience report based on the practice of a dentist working in a male prison in the interior of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The research addresses the precarious oral health conditions of individuals deprived of liberty (IPL) and the challenges faced in providing dental care within a context marked by a lack of supplies, obsolete equipment, and structural limitations in the prison system. The analysis highlights the predominance of extractions due to high demand for urgent care and the absence of a referral pathway for specialized treatments, in addition to restrictions on access to basic oral hygiene items. The study also underscores initiatives such as the use of mediators ("health representatives") and preventive actions, which, although relevant, face significant ethical and practical barriers. It concludes that reformulating public health policies for the prison system, with investments in infrastructure, human resources, and service integration, is essential to ensure dignified and equitable dental care for IPL.