Caracterização do atendimento odontológico ofertado a pessoas com deficiência em uma universidade pública do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

Introduction: In dentistry, there is a great diversity of individuals requiring assistance. When considering people with disabilities (PWD), it becomes crucial to understand these users and their significance within the field. According to the Brazilian Law on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities – Law No. 13,146, a PWD is defined as someone with a long-term impairment of physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory nature, which, when interacting with one or more barriers, can impede their full and effective participation in society on equal terms with others. Many of these individuals face physical or psychological limitations hindering efficient oral hygiene, thus increasing their need for dental treatment. Objective: To characterize the profile of dental care provided to PWDs at the Department of Dentistry of Lagarto at the Federal University of Sergipe (DOL-UFS). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing physical dental records of PWDs who received outpatient treatment between August and December (one semester) of 2023. Data were collected on age, sex, guardian, education, employment status of the responsible person, family income, diagnoses, medications in use, medical and dental history, oral hygiene habits, oral health classification, and number and type of dental procedures performed. Results: The medical records of 26 PWDs were analyzed, revealing that the majority had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (38.5%), followed by individuals with cleft lip and palate (19.2%) and neurocognitive deficits (19.2%). The average age at the first dental visit was 6.95 years, and 16.0% had never visited a dentist. Approximately 26.0% of PWDs managed their own oral hygiene, with the majority of responsible individuals classifying their oral health as good or very good (73.9%). A total of 66 dental procedures were performed, with 45.4% being preventive and 54.5% curative. The most frequent procedures included restorative (16.7%), surgical (15.2%), prosthetic (11.5%), and endodontic (3.1%) procedures. Conclusion: The majority of PWDs seeking dental treatment at DOL-UFS were diagnosed with ASD, cleft lip and palate, or neurocognitive deficits. Restorative and surgical procedures were more commonly performed on these individuals.