Demand organization in public oral health services: analysis of a traditional model

ABSTRACT Objective: To discuss the municipal experience of the organization and the demand for dental services, based on the guidelines of the Unified Health System (UHS), which point to the structuring of an assistance model based on universality and integrality of care and equity in access to services. Methods: The research, realized in Araçatuba/SP, was based on documentary analysis and interviews with key-informants of the UHS dental service. The traditional court model has a care system for schoolchildren and a basic network with priority for pregnant women. Results: In total, the network has 59 dental surgeons, 31 oral health auxiliaries and 17 Oral Health Teams; however, the school attendance model persists, with 10 professionals attending public schools. Based on the discussions, it is concluded that there are no established criteria for the organization of demand. Conclusion: Most of the attendance occurs by free demand, and the reference and counter-referral system is incipient, damaging the service's resoluteness.