On Monday, the 16th, the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goiás (ALEGO) hosted the second symposium on oral health in the state of Goiás under the title “Walking the Path to Strengthening Oral Health SUS in Municipalities” with Objective of the discussion of the National Oral Health Policy – Brazil Sorrente, with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Health, managers, parliamentarians and municipal and state employees from Goiás. This initiative comes from MP Mauro Rubim (Workers’ Party), who is coordinator of the Parliamentary Front for the Defense of Oral Health in Goiás. The event takes place in the Carlos Vieira Hall and continues throughout the afternoon.
In addition to the MP, the committee included Rep. Antonio Gumede (PT), Professor and Director of the Dentistry Course at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Jerseyne Carlos de Freitas; President of the Interstate Dental Association, Carrigo Broome; Secretary General of the Regional Dental Council (CRO-GO) as well as Professor at UFG, Francine Moreira; President of SindSaúde, Lucinia Vieira; President of the Council of Municipal Health Secretariats of the State of Goiás (COSEMS); Representative of the President of the Goiás State Dentists’ Union, Shirley Ferreira Silva, as well as the representative of the State Ministry of Health (SES), Paula dos Santos.
Also present at the table was the morning speaker, Professor of Public Health at the University of São Paulo (USP), Paulo Capel Narval, who addressed the “Model of care and organization of work in the field of oral health in the municipal SUS”. In the afternoon, the symposium will continue with the lecture “New Oral Health Legislation” delivered by the Technical Advisor and General Coordinator of Oral Health at the Ministry of Health, Marcos Vinicius Camargo.
The first to speak was MP Mauro Rubim, who received his professional colleagues in a very special way. Then he recalled the role of the parliamentary front to defend oral health, which was launched this year and which he coordinated. The parliamentarian stressed that the main point in promoting this event is to promote oral health. The Labor MP also said it was necessary to establish new competitions and recognize health professionals. Furthermore, he also criticized the existence of social organizations which, in his opinion, were destructive to public health.
Dentist, Rep. Antonio Gumede said, “It is a great opportunity to listen to a lecture that can provide updates on the issue of oral health at SUS. The aim of this event is to stimulate discussions so that you can learn about all the developments taking place at the Ministry of Health. We have to appreciate SUS and all the professionals we help everyone who depends on them.
Then, Jersini Freitas pointed out that there is no point in technical training if we do not have the possibility to serve the population well, and that is why we need to establish dialogue and partnerships in search of solutions that achieve effective results, striving for high-quality dentistry that can perform the best services for the population of all Municipalities.
Carrigo Broome also spoke. “This is an important moment for oral health in Brazil, as we now have a law that governs the national oral health policy and sets goals for all governments, and this will strengthen oral health throughout the country,” he said. We are going through a period of restructuring of oral health and the government has already announced that in 2024 we will have an investment worth about 3.8 billion riyals. It’s time to build oral health by appreciating those who work in it.
The representative of the State Department of Health (SES), Paula dos Santos, commented that in the first symposium the agenda was the return of oral health. Now, this continuity is necessary to truly implement the process of promoting oral health, evaluating professionals and their working conditions, elements that are fundamental to promoting oral health, because according to them, all of this is a process. “We need to reflect on the difficulties and ask the Ministry to continue providing guidance so that joint construction is truly possible,” he stressed.
After that, Francine Moreira celebrated that “Dental Surgeon Day will be celebrated next week and this event here today is a great gift for all these professionals. I call on managers and coordinators to fight for surgeons and technicians, as today we have excellent specialists who serve the population with superior quality. She stressed that we We fight for everyone to earn minimum wage, be valued, and have good working conditions.
Lucinia Vieira then spoke about the joy and honor of being part of Professor Capel’s table. “We need to think about Brazil’s smile and the accessibility of the entire population to this system that must offer everything that people are entitled to. We will only be able to ensure progress when everyone stands up for this unique, comprehensive and free system.” SUS deserves to be recognized and defended, So I am here to defend it,” stressed the union leader.
Later, Patricia Palmera spoke. Representative Mauro Rubim moved the state by bringing these discussions to strengthen the system. How to work towards equity in oral health. Increasing the cost of the oral health team was an important advance. Co-financing is also important and must reach our state. It must also be cross-sectoral. If we at SUS work as a team, the oral healthcare network will work better and we will be able to make a difference. Comprehensive care must prevail in all sectors. Everyone must come together to promote SUS.
Later, Patricia Palmera spoke. She highlighted the latest developments observed by the health teams that make up the unified health system. Increased funding for the oral health team, co-funding and cross-sectoral partnerships were some of the points she raised. “If we at SUS work as a team, the oral health care network will work better and we will be able to make a difference. Comprehensive care must prevail in all sectors. Everyone must come together to strengthen SUS,” defended the representative of the Minister of Health, Sergio Vincio.
Within the framework of the ongoing work, Shirley Silva, representative of the President of the Dental Syndicate, took the floor. She considered this to be a very important event and, as a trade unionist, she could not help but see the appreciation of the dental professionals. “Our population is very poor in oral health and needs care again. Prevention is part of reality,” he stressed.
The last person to speak was the representative of the Ministry of Health, Marcos Vinicius. In a quick speech, he emphasized that his presence aims to rebuild and implement good oral health for all. The new leadership in oral health will seek to promote pathways that can serve as support for a new, more efficient and higher quality oral health system.
The speaker highlights the new law and the responsibility of municipalities
Kapil began his speech by recalling that “in 1986 we wanted SUS and oral health in SUS. Four decades later, we are no longer discussing this, but we have already begun to discuss oral health in municipalities, and this is not an easy matter. As some say, we do not live in Union or state, we live in a municipality. Health happens in a municipality. Our conversation then is what should be done in each municipality when it comes to oral health in the United States of America.
The President launched the “Brazil Sorridente” program in 2004, and next year we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of this program. States such as Goiás have moved forward in this direction, by adhering to the guidelines of the National Oral Health Policy. However, the Brasil Sorridente Program is a federal government program that has not always been replicated in municipalities, and unfortunately there has been politicization of oral health. There were several consequences when the federalization of Brasil Sorrente was abolished, leaving each municipality free to join or not to join.
From now on, after amending the law establishing the National Policy for Oral Health within the Unified Health System (SUS) and amending Law No. 8080 of September 19, 1990, to include oral health in the field of performance of the SUS, municipalities are obliged to ensure the promotion of dentistry, prevention, recovery and rehabilitation.
Any public authority that refuses to do what the law requires promotes illegality, which may be grounds for impeachment for mayors. Article 17 of the law specifies the implementation of all services related to this area of oral health.
Then, Marcos Camargo, from the General Council for Oral Health at the Ministry of Health, will give the second and final lecture of the day entitled “New Oral Health Decrees”.
