Abstract

Breastfeeding (BF) and the adequate introduction of complementary feeding (CF) are strategies that have been shown to improve oral health and prevent diseases. Therefore, activities to promote these practices must be carried out by all health professionals. This article addresses the opinion of the dentist about his or her education, knowledge and role in supporting and encouraging BF and CF. It was sought, through quantitative methodology, to analyze the result of a survey carried out with dentists registered with the Regional Dentistry Council of São Paulo about their academic and professional training in these themes. The major academic contents received at college were about the benefits of breastfeeding for the prevention of general health (74.6%). Among the professionals, 27.8% of them received in-service training on BF and 21.5% on CF, with more than 80% being able to apply their knowledge on a daily basis. When asked about providing guidance on BF, only 15% responded feeling prepared to do so. Regarding whether they consider it to be the dentist's responsibility to support BF and BF, 92.3% answered yes and 85% said they needed updating. It is concluded that there is a gap to be filled with academic training and training / updates so that the dentist can effectively act in the promotion and support of BF and CF.

Alternate abstract:

O aleitamento materno (AM) e a introdução adequada da alimentação complementar (AC) são estratégias que comprovadamente melhoram a saúde bucal e previnem doenças. Por isso, atividades de promoção dessas práticas devem ser realizadas por todos os profissionais de saúde. Buscou-se, através da metodologia quantitativa, analisar o resultado de um inquérito realizado com dentistas cadastrados no Conselho Regional de Odontologia de São Paulo sobre sua formação acadêmica e profissional nestes temas. Os conteúdos mais recebidos na graduação foram sobre os benefícios do AM para a prevenção da saúde geral (74,6%). Entre os profissionais que receberam capacitação em serviço, foram 27,8% (AM) e 21,5% (AC), sendo que mais de 80% conseguiram aplicar o conhecimento no dia a dia. Quando solicitados a dar orientação sobre AM, apenas 15% responderam se sentir preparados. Sobre se consideram ser atribuição do dentista o apoio ao AM e AC, 92,3% responderam que sim e 85% reconhecem precisar de atualização. Conclui-se que há uma lacuna a ser preenchida com a formação acadêmica e capacitações/atualizações para que o dentista possa efetivamente atuar na promoção e apoio ao AM e AC.

Details

Title
Are dentists prepared to promote breastfeeding and healthy complementary food?
Author
Brockveld, Lucimeire de Sales Magalhães  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Venancio, Sonia Isoyama  VIAFID ORCID Logo 
First page
e320215
Section
TEMA LIVRE
Publication year
2022
Publication date
2022
Publisher
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Medicina Social
ISSN
01037331
e-ISSN
18094481
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3222182791
Copyright
© 2022. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.