Extension actions for the promotion of oral health in communities served by the Child's Pastoral in Londrina/PR

Abstract

This is a descriptive study of the experience report type, aiming at describing the extension actions developed by Project “Oral Health in School Children and in the Community” developed by the State University of Londrina at the Child's Pastoral. The activities described herein were developed in 2019, on Saturdays, with dates previously defined by the coordinators of the institutions. In the first moment, talk sessions were held with mothers, pregnant women, and caregivers, with themes referred to the value of breastfeeding, clarifications on the use of pacifiers, and healthy eating. At a subsequent moment, the baby mouths were cleaned under supervision. For the children, individual or collective supervised brushing was performed. Additionally, information regarding the correct brushing technique, brushing frequency per day, and the ideal amount of toothpaste were provided. These actions had the participation of pregnant women, mothers, caregivers, babies, and children, totaling approximately 1241 people in 19 communities assisted by the Child's Pastoral in Londrina, Paraná. In this way, the extension actions taking place at Child's Pastoral were considered ideal scenarios to share knowledge, exchange experiences, improve the quality of life and well-being of the diverse and heterogeneous target audience. They represent real and favorable spaces for students to develop the competencies and skills required for contextualized and integral training.