Self-perceptions and knowledge about oral health of people who live in a deprived community in Porto Alegre Municipality – RS

Abstract

This study was evaluated of self-perceptions and knowledge about oral health of deprived population, and previously the introduction of an Oral Health Promotion Program. It is about a cross-sectional and descriptive study made with people who go to the Health Basic Units (HBU) Timbaúva, located in Mário Quintana’s Quarter, in Porto Alegre municipality - RS, in 2007, with data collected from a questionnaire structured with closed questions, previously tested in a pilot study. The questionnaires were filled by 185 parents or responsibles of children enrolled in the school of the community. The results showed that just 31, 98% went already to the dentist because of tooth pain. About the self perception linked to the oral health, 63, 78% had already experience of tooth decay, 40% refer gingival blood to brush and 32, 43% had already a permanent tooth extracted. 95,13% said that they have a toothbrush at home and 9,73% share this instrument of oral hygiene with the family. About the usage of dentifrice 98, 37% use it and 50, 81% eat sweets. Therefore, strategies of health promotion should be based on previous knowledge and self-perceptions of health in order to the actions in education in oral health may generate better health conditions.