The importance of home dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic

residents experience report

Abstract

The aim of this article is to report the experiences of home dental care performed during the COVID-19 pandemic by dentists from the Residency Program in Family and Community Health, at the State University of Piauí, between July/2020 and July/ 2021, in Teresina-Piauí-Brazil. Elderly, people with disabilities, bedridden, hypertensive, diabetics, or other chronic diseases and mobility difficulties were assisted. During home visits, strict biosecurity measures were followed, especially considering the protocols regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Procedures were performed with minimally invasive techniques and/or with the possibility of execution without generating aerosols. During the period, 82 home visits took place, totaling 701 dental procedures, registered in the e-SUS of the Basic Health Units to which dentists were linked. Thus, home dental care is a viable alternative during the pandemic, ensuring the performance of procedures beyond dental urgencies. However, a more critical and reflective view is needed to consolidate home dental care as a fundamental strategy in the professional practice of dentists, within the scope of primary health care, with emphasis on health crisis situations.