The legislative and the regulation of dental assistants professions in Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the conditions of possibilities and contributions of the legislative power to the regulation of oral health assistants (in Portuguese “Auxiliar de Saúde Bucal” – ASB) and oral health technicians (in Portuguese “Técnico de Saúde Bucal” – TSB) in Brazil. Methods: This socio-historical study used Bourdieu´s theoretical framework. Twelve legislative processes were included. Information about their objects, similarities and differences, main stakeholders, their social and professional trajectories and their relationship with oral health were sought. An interview with two key informants was conducted. The multiple correspondence analysis investigated the association between the variables and their intensity of contribution. Results: This issue remained in dispute between 1977-2008 and was regulated by Law 11.889/2008, after the incorporation of Oral Health Teams in the Family Health Strategy. The restrictive practice was related to parliamentarians from the southeast region, linked to the pole of the private market, without training in the health area. The defense of clinical practice under dentist´ supervision was related to health and human sciences agents. Conclusion: The ASB profession has always been a consensus in regulation. The issue in dispute was the activities of Oral Health Technicians. It prevailed in the Law text a more progressive and broader view.