COST OF ORAL HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN SALVADOR (BA)

Abstract

The new paradigm of health adopted by Dentistry in the last decades has been prioritizing the prevention of oral diseases. The mechanical disorganization of the dental biofilm is the gold standard for the establishment and maintenance of a healthy oral environment. Based on recent data on the reduction of dental caries in children and adolescents, the present study aims to estimate and analyze the monthly financial cost required for the daily oral hygiene of children and young people in the city of Salvador, Bahia. Prospective study, cross-sectional and with quantitative approach. In May and June 2014, a form was used to collect basic information on all children's products (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental wire and dental antiseptic) found in 16 supermarkets in Salvador, totaling 261 products. The average monthly cost with dental brush was R$ 1.78, for dental wire it was R$ 6.30, for dentifrice it was R$ 4,32 and for the oral antiseptic it was R$ 36.00. When associated, dental brush, dentifrice and dental wire totaled an average monthly cost of R$ 12.40, corresponding to 1.71% of the national minimum wage at the time of data collection. When the oral antiseptic was added to the other three products, the monthly amount increased to R$ 48.40 (6.68% of the current national minimum wage). Infant and juvenile hygiene products have higher costs than the adult products reported in the literature. The use of the four products investigated imposes a significant weight on family income, mainly due to oral antiseptic. It is important that dental surgeons personalize their indications of products considering the needs of each patient and also their financial conditions.