Avaliação do processo de trabalho de cirurgiões-dentistas na atenção primária em tempo de pandemia da COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 has brought a high occupational risk to dental surgeons, both due to the characteristic of transmissibility and the peculiarity of the proximity of the dental surgeon to the patient in clinical dental care. Given the complexity and dilemma of establishing protocols for a safe dental practice, competent authorities recommended the suspension of elective care and maintenance only of urgent and emergency dental care, aiming to mitigate the spread of the virus and the protection of professionals and users of the dental system. health. Given this unprecedented reality, the routine of these professionals has been pointing to major changes. Objectives: To evaluate the work process of dentists in primary health care teams in the SUS in the state of Espírito Santo (ES) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Analytical study with a cross-sectional design, with dentists who work in Primary Health Care (PHC) teams in Espírito Santo. Results: This study demonstrated that dentists worked with the multidisciplinary PHC team in the sanitary barrier, vaccination, and epidemiological monitoring, among other activities in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. It is noteworthy that it was observed that dentists without a statutory link had greater participation in the work processes shared with the PHC teams. Another important result is the reduction in the number of emergency services during the pandemic, even though it was the only dental care offer in the period, compared to the previous period. Conclusion: Through this study, it was observed that most dentists were involved in the work processes of a multidisciplinary team in the fight against COVID-19. This may indicate the ability to participate and implement measures of a collective nature, collaborating to respond in the best way to the demands of the territory. The reduction in emergency care during this period points to the need for a better organization of services to maintain assistance during pandemic times.