SATISFACTION LEVELS OF THE ELDERLY IN RELATION TO FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGY, THROUGH AN ANALYSIS OF ORAL HEALTH CARE

Abstract

The ageing process of the Brazilian population has accelerated. It has been seen that the elderly are making greater use of the health services but paying far less attention to dental care. The Family Health Strategy (ESF) – reorganizer of the Unified Health Scheme – stresses total health care centered on the family, giving priority to the elderly, among others. In 2004, Goiânia included dentistry in ESF in an effort to provide broader access to oral health care. Partial results of a research which aimed at discovering the satisfaction levels of the elderly with regard to ESF, through an analysis of oral health, are presented in this study. The methodology was qualitative, using focal groups. Results show varying satisfaction levels which were positive as regards past experiences – highlighting the professional-patient relationship and the quality of clinical and out-patient care – and negative in relation to the routine problems of access, care of the elderly and their families, problem solving and organizational issues.