Overview of dentists' coverage in health teams in the Northern Macroregion of Minas Gerais: analysis of determinant aspects

Abstract

Objective: To survey the incidence of family health teams, oral health teams, and dental surgeons in the Northern Macroregion of Minas Gerais from 2008 to 2023. Methods: a quantitative and descriptive study was conducted between March and April 2023. The data used in this work refer to healthcare teams and collaborating professionals and were obtained from the DATASUS platform. The only inclusion criterion considered was the municipality belonging to the Northern Health Macroregion of Minas Gerais, according to the state’s Master Plan. Results: Of the 86 municipalities in the North Macroregion of Minas Gerais evaluated, 63 (73.2%) showed an increase in the number of oral health teams and dental surgeons in 2023 compared with 2008. An exponential increase was observed in the municipalities of Várzea da Palma (733.2%), Fruta de Leite (729.4%), and Francisco Dumont (550.3%). Conclusions: There was an increase in the number of oral health teams and family health teams in all municipalities, demonstrating a satisfactory distribution of dental surgeons in the public sector and concern for the population’s oral health on the part of public authorities.