USE OF “TOY” AS A MEDIATING RESOURCE FOR ORAL CARE PROMOTION OF CHILDREN ADMITTED TO THE PEDIATRIC INFIRMARY AT UH/UFSC

Abstract

Dental care towards children directly interferes with the quality of the procedures performed by the dentist. Among the alternatives for behavior mediation, this work approaches the use of "toy" as a mediating resource for dental care to the children, which can be pointed out as an efficient and well accepted method by the patients. Objective: this study assessed the use of "toy" as a mediating resource for prophylactic dental care of children admitted to a pediatric infirmary. Methods: 50 children (aged 4-10 years) admitted to a pediatric infirmary participated in the study. Results: Data collected were analyzed according to patient’s profile and under mother’s/responsible’s perspective on the behavior revealed face to dental treatment. Conclusion: in this population, the "toy" acted effectively as a mediating resource during dental treatment in 84% (n=42) of the children investigated. Also, it was identified a need for implementation of a health promotion program at the University Hospital (prophylactic dental care to children admitted to the pediatric infirmary), based on the use of toy as a mediating resource and on a greater interaction among all health professionals. DESCRIPTORS: Health Promotion. Play Therapy. Pediatric Dentistry.