Management of public oral health policies from local dental operators’ and management teams’ perspective in Ate-Vitarte and Santa Anita, 2017

Abstract

Objective: To describe the management of public oral health policies from dental operators’ and management teams’ perspective in the districts of Ate-Vitarte and Santa Anita in 2017. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical, prospective and mixed methods research. The instruments and pilot plan were validated after expert opinion, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Moreover, contrast and triangulation of data from different sources were conducted. All ethical standards were met. Results: Fifty-seven point one three percent (57.13 %) of the interviewees were dental operators (odontologists) engaged in the SERUMS program and the rest consisted of management teams (directors and chiefs). Both groups did not receive adequate training in public oral health policies and were unsatisfied with their salaries. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital’s premises, except for two facilities located in Ate (where former President Fujimori receives medical care), which have state-of-the-art equipment, materials and supplies. Local dental operators participated in oral health intra- and extramural activities, and performed dental procedures such as fillings, extractions, fluoride treatments, prophylaxis and counseling.
Conclusions: Public oral health policies in Ate-Vitarte and Santa Anita are in the first phase of the implementation process of a new work scheme. They aim at offering quality services and state that dental professionals are willing to transcend by doing their work in order to turn the health care paradigms into health prevention and promotion activities. Furthermore, these policies consider continuous improvement and awareness because oral health goes beyond dental professionals’ work.