The role of Orthodontics in the Oral Health Care Network

Abstract

To carry out a literature review on the role of Orthodontics within the Oral Health Care Network, presenting the services offered and how the specialty in question contributes to combating occlusopathies and strengthening the Oral Health Network. Descriptors: SUS, public health, orthodontics, occlusopathies, basic health care. The chosen design was a narrative literature review. The search for articles was carried out digitally, in the Virtual Health Library, Scientific Electronic Library Online and Google Scholar databases, using the following descriptors: SUS, public health, orthodontics, occlusopathies, primary health care. Related publications were included to the objectives listed in this research, articles in Portuguese or English, published in the last 23 years, available in full text. Duplicate articles were excluded. According to the analysis of the reviewed literature, the services offered in the health system are not sufficient to be offered to everyone in need and there is an attempt to guide the system towards providing orthodontic assistance in collective health through a protocol. This type of program, when well executed and targeted, can be resolving demands that, despite being simple, can reduce a relevant percentage of malocclusions. It is concluded that orthodontic treatment must be offered in public health in an early, universal and accessible manner, since, as soon as it is carried out, it is capable of avoiding more severe malocclusions in the future, reducing unfavorable aesthetic and functional consequences, reducing the need for greater financial investments to solve problems.