ACESSIBILIDADE AO SERVIÇO DE SAÚDE BUCAL NA ATENÇÃO BÁSICA: DESVELANDO O ABSENTEÍSMO EM UMA UNIDADE DE SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA DE JOÃO PESSOA - PB

Objective: To elucidate the reasons patients give for not keeping dental scheduled appointments at the Verdes Mares Family Health Unit, as well as to investigate if other factors have been influencing this behavior like barriers to access. Methods: The study population consisted of 72 patients who failed to keep at least one visit from March to June, 2010. Data were collected from semi-structured in-home interviews. Results: 62.5% were female; 38.9% were in the age group of 31-59 years old; 45.4% had a household income of up to a minimum wage, and 62.5% up to 8 years of schooling. Although 40.3% had rated their oral health positively and 87.5% had a low oral impact on their quality of life, 70.8% have reported that they needed dental treatment. Forgetfulness was the most claimed reason for not showing up, followed by withdrawal and inability to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Conclusion: In this context, it is needful to promote appropriate conditions of service and also rethink the scheduling system used, to avoid dropouts and reduce the waiting time for consultation. Moreover, it is suggested teaching patients about their duties of co-responsibility with their own health care as well as their children’s. DESCRIPTORS: Absenteeism. Oral Health. Primary Health Care.