Behavior of Dentists from a local public service facing white lesions on oral mucosa

Abstract

This study aims to identify sociodemographic features and behavior of dentists from a Primary Public Health Service’s Unit at Montes Claros-MG, facing white lesions on the oral mucosa. A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study held in 2008 with 80 dentists, using a selfreported questionnaire was made. From all respondents, 57.5% were female, 77,5% had never performed biopsy/smear in the workplace and in reference to Oral Pathology,only 26,2% would redirect the user to the Center for Dental Specialties (CEO). The results reinforce the trend of feminization of dentistry, and reveals that the biopsy is still unusual in the dental practice and that CEO is not the main reference in oral diagnosis in public service.