Comparative analysis of clinical treatment given in a segmented or integrated manner, at the Hermínio Ometto University Center – UNIARARAS, Brazil

Resumen

The goal of this study was to comparatively analyse the clinical treatment given between the years 1998- 1999, in which each specialty had its own, separated, clinical activities, and that given in the years 2001- 2002, when the philosophy of an integrated clinic was established at the Hermínio Ometto University Center – UNIARARAS, Brazil. The number of finalized treatments in a sample of 200 files (50 for each of the studied years) was assessed. The data were tabulated and submitted to an exploratory analysis aiming at producing an outlook of the dental care given by UNIARARAS. In the segmented clinics, 33% of the treatments were finalized, being the percentages of finalized treatments for each discipline as follows: 9% for Removable Partial Prosthesis, 20% for Total Prosthesis, 12% for Fixed Partial Prosthesis, 64% for Surgery, 93% for Periodontology, 47% for Restorative Dentistry, and 66% for Endodontics. In the integrated clinic, the percentage of concluded treatments was 20%, taking into account that a partial discharge was attributed to the majority of patients. The percentages of finalized treatments for each discipline were as follows: 35% for Removable Partial Prosthesis, 67% for Total Prosthesis, 46% for Fixed Partial Prosthesis, 78% for Surgery, 89% for Periodontology, 54% for Restorative Dentistry, and 51% for Endodontics. In conclusion, the integrated clinic produced better results than the segmented clinics regarding almost all of the studied aspects. This study demonstrated that the integrated clinic has restored the totality condition and global vision of the dental practice, contributing for the training of a generalist professional, with solid technical, scientific, humanistic and ethical training, oriented for the promotion of health with an emphasis on prevention.