Educação em saúde bucal de crianças de uma escola localizada em um bairro de alta vulnerabilidade social da cidade de Governador Valadares: relato de experiência de projeto de extensão

Abstract

This work aims to report the experience of the extension project “Sorriso do Amanhã” (“Smile of Tomorrow”) of the Dentistry Department at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, during the years 2023–2024. The actions carried out sought to promote oral health among 540 children/adolescents aged 4 to 14 enrolled at the Municipal School Professora Simone Maria da Cruz, located in the Santos Dumont II neighborhood, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais. The project also included interdisciplinary partnerships with other university extension projects, expanding its reach to daycare centers and children's shelters in the municipality.The project team consisted of five undergraduate dentistry students from different academic years, under the supervision of two faculty members. Educational activities focusing on oral health, supervised toothbrushing, clinical oral examinations, and the distribution of kits donated by Colgate® were carried out. The educational activities were designed considering the cognitive development of the children. Thus, dynamics such as plays, discussion circles, quizzes, games, and playful coloring activities were conducted. Additionally, educational videos aimed at parents and children were developed and shared with the school administration for dissemination in parent/responsible parties’ groups.The educational activities and supervised toothbrushing sessions were carried out with all classes/children. The clinical examination was performed only on those children whose parents/guardians had signed the informed consent form. Letters were sent to the families of those who required dental treatment, along with information on possible locations for free care. The analysis of questionnaires and clinical records (n=282) revealed low family income and a high prevalence of caries (42%), in addition to the presence of other conditions such as malocclusion and dental trauma. According to reports from school management, teachers, children, and the project team, the benefits were mutual, contributing both to the academic training of the students and to the community, which gained access to oral health education, clinical examinations, and referrals for treatment at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of the Dentistry Department at UFJF-GV.