Dental hygienist technicians' working process and their relationship with the oral health team in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to assess dentists' understanding about the working process and the relationships of the health team with dental hygienist technicians (DHT). In five cities of the Metropolitan Region of Vitória, State of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil, 18 subjects were selected from a probability sample of 217 dentists that worked in the National Health System. Subjects were interviewed by means of a semi-structured script, which contained topics related to work organization in oral health; roles and responsibilities of the DHT; relationship between the dentist and the DHT; DHT's relationship with health team and autonomy. The data were analyzed from the perspective of Bardin's Content Analysis. The data analysis indicates that dentists value the DHT's participation in the reorganization of dental work and the construction of a relationship of partnership and cooperation. However, dentists recognize that the relationship with the DHT is hampered by lack of information concerning the working process. In addition, dentists fear that the DHT become dental practitioners and take their place in the labor market. There are also concerns about legal liability of dentists concerning activities developed by DHT.