Nursing technologist Luciana Egle Dias de Oliveira, 50, took advantage of the first day of Virada Odontológica, in São Paulo, to learn more about diseases affecting the teeth and mouth. 
“I have serious oral problems such as bone loss and have to get treatment for bruxism now, I had broken teeth due to grinding. For me, this lecture was very targeted, because, often, the dentist does not provide assistance as he did now, In the show of exercises, to inflate the mouth, for example. He guided me so much, when I get to the dentist I will know which of the procedures it will be,” he said after following up on an event on temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
From today (24) to Thursday (27), the city of São Paulo holds the first edition of the Virada Odontológica, a celebration of National Oral Health Day (25) and the month of the dentist. Several actions aimed at preventing oral health are scheduled in the 426 basic health units (BHUs) that provide dental care in the municipality’s network.
All UBSs will have a specific schedule, such as delivery of educational materials aimed at oral health, oral hygiene kits, oral cancer prevention self-examination guidelines, especially for smokers, and screening for the disease. There will also be educational lectures on the importance of prevention for good oral health.
Luciana attended a lecture on Monday (24) at UBS Cambuci with dentist Jose Marques Inacio Jr.
A professional for 28 years, the dentist has shown the main causes of TMJ disorder. “Incorrect bite, wrong posture, strain. In short, don’t release pressure on your teeth. Avoid chewing gum and toothpicks, avoid biting pen caps, and the rims of glasses, and avoid putting these different kinds of things in your mouth.”
To avoid TMJ disorders, the most important thing, the dentist explains, is not to bite your teeth. “And don’t let your teeth touch. If you let your teeth in, all the muscles in your face will be under stress and cause TMJ disorders.”
Inácio Júnior says he is concerned about the increase in cases of bruxism, one of the DTMs, at this time when the pandemic is cooling. He attributes the causes to stress. “I don’t have a scientific study, but in my clinical experience I’ve noticed an increase in patients suffering from bruxism, people have started banging their teeth absurdly, and stress is widespread,” he said.
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Distribution of brochures and hygiene kits during the Virada Odontológica in UBS Cambuci, Central District of São Paulo. – Rovina Rosa / Agência Brasil
Certain groups such as pregnant women, mothers of children with diabetes, hypertensive patients, and the elderly will receive specific guidelines. Some units will conduct home visits for patients with physical disabilities, bedridden and residents with dental health education activities, and supervised brushing and fluoridation.
Activities will also be developed with young people and children, in the form of fun gyms and games, with tips on nutrition and the correct use of dental floss. In some units there will also be dental examination and scheduling of appointments.
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Assistance during a dental course at UBS Cambuci, Central Region of São Paulo. – Rovina Rosa / Agência Brasil
According to the Municipal Health Administration (SMS), all health units in the municipality are advised to have dental check-ups every 40 days, on average, as recommended by the Technical Oral Health.
The file reported that, currently, of the 470 UBS in the municipality, 426 (90.6%) have oral health teams, which are responsible for providing dental care to the population through procedures that mainly include restorations, tooth extractions, prevention and procedures for the manufacture of removable dentures. For total or partial removal.
In 2021, 1,676,388 dental consultations were performed across the municipality’s network, including UBSs, Medicaid outpatients (AMAs), Specialized Care Services for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (SAEs/STIs), and Specialized Dental Centers (CEOs). ) The Emergency Units and Emergency Network (RUE) of the municipality.
This year, between January and September, 869,773 consultations were conducted at UBSs alone.
The Ministry of Health stated that it has invested in expanding and improving the comprehensive care provided to the population, including oral health. As a result of management investments in this area, the number of specialized dental centers (CEOs), for example, has increased from 13 in 2016 to 30 this year.
Virada Odontológica was created by Law No. 17709 of November 9, 2021, which established October as the month for activities to be carried out.
Titles of participating units and dates of activities to be developed It can be found online.
