MANAGER’S PERCEPTION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ABOUT ORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS IN THE CABULA- BEIRÚ DISTRICT IN SALVADOR

Abstract

The implantation of Oral Health Promotion programs in schools is important to enhance oral health and solidify healthy habits. Through appropriate pedagogical strategies, the information, motivation and health education enables students to become responsible for their own oral health. The aim of this study is to describe the perceptions of public and private elementary school principals’ from the Cabula- Beirú Health District in Salvador, regarding the development Oral Health Preventions Programs in school units. Through state and municipal departments of education, a list containing all schools in the area was obtained, with 30% of each category (state, municipal and private schools) being selected for the survey. The principals from public and private schools answered a questionnaire with both subjective and objective questions. Descriptive analysis of the quantitative data was used, with subjective questions being assayed by Laurence Bardin’s qualitative "content analysis” technique. The importance assigned to such programs is related to three categories: promoting dental health education, decreasing access difficulties for dental treatments and preventing dental problems. It was found that 33,3% and 27,2% of State and Municipal schools maintained Oral Health Programs, respectively, whereas 78,12% of the Private schools take the same action. Therefore, we conclude that it is necessary to the establishment of partnerships between departments of health and education to the implementation of programs to promote oral health in public schools.