Abstract INTRODUCTION: This paper analyzed sociodemographic and epidemiological data of individuals with syphilis as well as the compulsory reporting of the disease, for being a reemerging disease in Brazil. METHODS: General information and sociodemographic, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data were verified in compulsory reporting. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2016, 157 reporting forms were explored. Acquired and gestational syphilis occurred predominantly in those 20 to 29 years of age and those who did not complete secondary education. Compulsory reporting forms were not complete. CONCLUSIONS: The number of syphilis cases has varied over the years in the city. Incomplete compulsory reporting was noted.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the filling of the dental certificates by the students of the fourth year of the den tistry course of a Brazilian public university and professionals of specialization courses in the area. The respondents were given a blank sheet written "Certificate", for them to fill out. The period analyzed was from 2014 to 2016. The test was used to compare two proportions and the chi-square test, with a significance level of 5%. A total of 336 individuals participated in the study, of which 167 (49.7%) were fourth year students of the Dentistry course and 169 (50.3%) professionals of specialization courses of the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba. Only 73 (21.7%) correctly filled the certificate. Among the errors, we emphasize the students' insertion of the International Statistical Clas sification of Diseases without the patient's consent and among profes sionals the lack of the General Registry. There was a significant statis tical difference between the categories regarding the correct filling of the certificate (p = 0). We concluded that the dental certificates are filled incorrectly by a considerable portion of the respondents, with minor errors among dentistry students.

Resumen: Este estudio tuvo el objetivo de analizar y comparar la cumplimentación de certificados médicos por estudiantes del cuarto año del curso de Odontología de una universidad pública brasileña y por profesionales de cursos de especialización específicos del área. Entre 2014 y 2016, se dejó a los encuestados una hoja de papel en blanco en cuyo encabezamiento sólo constaba la palabra “Certificado”, a fin de que se lo elaboraran de la manera que juzgaran más adecuada. Se utilizó test para comparación de dos proporciones y Test de Chi- Cuadrado con nivel de significación del 5%. Participaron de la inves tigación 336 individuos, de los cuales 167 (49,7%) eran estudiantes y 169 (50,3%), profesionales de cursos de especialización de la Facultad de Odontología de Araçatuba. Solamente 73 (21,7%) individuos ela boraron el certificado correctamente. Entre los errores de los estu diantes se destaca la inserción de la Clasificación Estadística Interna cional de Enfermedades sin el consentimiento del paciente, y, de los profesionales, la falta del Documento Nacional de Identidad. Hubo diferencia estadística significativa entre las categorías respecto a la correcta cumplimentación del certificado (p=0). Se concluyó que una parte considerable de los encuestados rellena los certificados odonto lógicos incorrectamente, con menores errores entre los estudiantes de Odontología.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The incidence of Hansen's disease is high in overlooked populations. METHODS: Data of Hansen's disease cases reported in the information system of the Department of Informatics, Brazilian Unified Health System, from 2013 to 2014 were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 434 studied cases of Hansen's disease, the female sex (52.5%), adult age (73.7%), low educational level (61.8%), and multibacillary form were associated with higher prevalence rates. CONCLUSIONS: Hansen's disease is more frequent among female adults with a low educational level, and the prevalence of multibacillary leprosy reflects disease detection at late stages.

SUMMARY This study aims to analyze the dental surgeons' knowledge about leprosy and its ways of transmission, clinical characteristics and treatment, besides analyzing their experience with respect to diagnostic suspicion and case referrals. The study population comprised 242 dental surgeons working in the public dental service of the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. A self-applicable questionnaire containing questions about the dental surgeon's profile was used, including his/her knowledge on leprosy, as well as his/her practices concerning the disease. The results showed a predominance of female dental surgeons (65.7%), with ages ranging between 30 and 39 years old (43%) and professionals having six to 10 years of experience since graduation. Concerning their time working in the Unified Health System (SUS), the highest percentage of dental surgeons referred more than 10 years. Regarding the knowledge about the disease, 30.6% did not know the efficacy of the treatment of leprosy, 47% did not know the disease had to be notified compulsorily and only 8.3% had received information about leprosy at work. Besides that, most of them mentioned feeling little security when treating patients with leprosy (61.6%). Thus, dental surgeons' deficient knowledge on issues related to leprosy may be highlighted.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the knowledge, feelings and perceptions involving patients affected by leprosy, as a better understanding of these factors may be useful to decrease the stigma and prejudice associated with the condition. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 94 patients who underwent treatment for leprosy at the Health Units in the City of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso (MT), Brazil. The study questionnaire included items to collect information on socio-demographic data, knowledge about the disease, stigma, prejudice, self-esteem and quality of life of leprosy patients. Bivariate analyses were used to assess the data based on the chi-square test with a 5% significance threshold. RESULTS: The results revealed that the study population consisted predominantly of males (55.3%) with an income between 1 and 3 times the minimum wage (67%). The survey respondents reported that the most significant difficulties related to the treatment were the side effects (44.7%) and the duration of the treatment (28.7%). A total of 72.3% of the subjects were knowledgeable about the disease, of whom 26.6% had the leprosy reaction. Stigma and prejudice were cited by 93.6% of the participants. Based on the responses, 40.4% of patients reported being depressed and sad, and 69.1% of the subjects encountered problems at work after being diagnosed. A total of 45.7% of the patients rated their quality of life between bad and very bad. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that leprosy causes suffering in patients beyond pain and discomfort and greatly influences social participation.

Objetivou-se neste estudo aplicar o Modelo de Crenças em Saúde a fim de explicar a adesão à recomendação de não reencapar agulhas por cirurgiões-dentistas e auxiliares de saúde bucal da rede pública de um município paulista. Utilizou-se um questionário validado e adaptado para a área de saúde bucal, que contemplava variáveis relativas à frequência do reencape e crenças em saúde, por meio de escalas tipo Likert. A relação entre as crenças e a adesão à recomendação de não reencapar agulhas foi obtida por meio da análise de regressão. Da amostra de profissionais obtida por adesão ao estudo (n = 79), a maioria (83,5%) relatou ter reencapado agulhas pelo menos alguma vez no último mês. Por meio da análise de regressão, foi observado que a relação entre as crenças descritas pelo modelo e a atitude de aderir ou não à recomendação de não reencapar agulhas foi explicada por uma menor percepção de barreiras psicológicas e por uma maior percepção de estímulos para não reencapar agulhas. Conclui-se que a aceitação das recomendações para prevenir acidentes do trabalho com material biológico foi explicado por algumas dimensões do Modelo de Crenças em Saúde, possibilitando a discussão sobre a reformulação de capacitações oferecidas para profissionais do sistema público de saúde.

The aim of this study was to applythe Health Belief Model to explain the adherence to the recommendation not to recap needles by dentists and dental assistants of the public health system in a municipality in the State of São Paulo. A questionnaire validated and adapted for the oral health area was used, which included variables related to the frequency of recapping and health beliefs using Likert-type scales. The relationship between beliefs and adherence to the recommendation not to recap needles was obtained by regression analysis. Of all the professionals in this study (n=79), the majority (83.5%) reported recapping needles at least once in the last month. Through regression analysis, it was observed that the relationship between the beliefs described by the model and the attitude whether or not to follow the recommendation not to recap needles was explained by a lower perception of psychological barriers and a greater perception of stimuli not to recap needles. The conclusion reached is that the acceptance of recommendations to prevent working accidents with biological material was explained by some dimensions of the Health Belief Model, enabling discussion about reformulation of training offered to professionals of the public health system.

<p>Objetivou-se neste estudo aplicar o Modelo de Crenças em Saúde a fim de explicar a adesão à recomendação de não reencapar agulhas por cirurgiões-dentistas e auxiliares de saúde bucal da rede pública de um município paulista. Utilizou-se um questionário validado e adaptado para a área de saúde bucal, que contemplava variáveis relativas à frequência do reencape e crenças em saúde, por meio de escalas tipo Likert. A relação entre as crenças e a adesão à recomendação de não reencapar agulhas foi obtida por meio da análise de regressão. Da amostra de profissionais obtida por adesão ao estudo (n = 79), a maioria (83,5%) relatou ter reencapado agulhas pelo menos alguma vez no último mês. Por meio da análise de regressão, foi observado que a relação entre as crenças descritas pelo modelo e a atitude de aderir ou não à recomendação de não reencapar agulhas foi explicada por uma menor percepção de barreiras psicológicas e por uma maior percepção de estímulos para não reencapar agulhas. Conclui-se que a aceitação das recomendações para prevenir acidentes do trabalho com material biológico foi explicado por algumas dimensões do Modelo de Crenças em Saúde, possibilitando a discussão sobre a reformulação de capacitações oferecidas para profissionais do sistema público de saúde.</p>

<p>The aim of this study was to applythe Health Belief Model to explain the adherence to the recommendation not to recap needles by dentists and dental assistants of the public health system in a municipality in the State of São Paulo. A questionnaire validated and adapted for the oral health area was used, which included variables related to the frequency of recapping and health beliefs using Likert-type scales. The relationship between beliefs and adherence to the recommendation not to recap needles was obtained by regression analysis. Of all the professionals in this study (n=79), the majority (83.5%) reported recapping needles at least once in the last month. Through regression analysis, it was observed that the relationship between the beliefs described by the model and the attitude whether or not to follow the recommendation not to recap needles was explained by a lower perception of psychological barriers and a greater perception of stimuli not to recap needles. The conclusion reached is that the acceptance of recommendations to prevent working accidents with biological material was explained by some dimensions of the Health Belief Model, enabling discussion about reformulation of training offered to professionals of the public health system.</p>

AIM: To determine the association between dental caries, Body Mass Index (BMI) and sugar intake in children attending primary school. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 91 children, with mean age of 3.9 years (sd = ±1.0), considering anthropometric measurements, according to standardized methodology of the Ministry of Health and occurrence of dental caries was recorded from clinical examinations (dmft). The sugar intake level was measured with a questionnaire that was applied to parents/caretakers of the children. The association of the variables was checked using a correlation with the Contingency C coefficient test. RESULTS: 33 (36.3%) children were at risk for overweight, overweight or obese. Of these, 10 (30.3%) had dmft >1. An association was found between sugar added to the bottle and child dmft (coeff. C = 0.5853 and p <0.0001) and also with BMI (coeff. C = 0.5693 and p <0.0001). There was no association between BMI and caries (chi-square = 0.1447 and p-value = 0.7036). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that there was a correlation between sugar intake and dmft and BMI, but not between caries and BMI.

Introduction: The current Brazilian legislation states that health services must be performed by the Specialized Service of Safety Engineering and Labor Medicine (SESMT). Objective: To analyze the dental and medical reasons for absenteeism, checking the interference of factors such as age, gender and position of the worker, and most of the reasons that led the employee to miss work. Material and methods: The research appears as a descriptive study with a quantitative approach. The dental and medical certificates and statements of attendance were analyzed, duly approved, lodged in a acrylic industry in the city of Araçatuba-SP, from January to July 2011. Results: Of the total number of certificates (n = 1841), only 103 (5.6%) were for dental reasons. Predominance of the age group of 20-29 years, males and with non-administrative function. The reasons most dental and medical certificates stated that led the workers to miss working days were "inclusive and impacted teeth" and "diarrhea and gastroenteritis of presumed infectious origin", respectively. As to factors related to absenteeism, there was a severity index of 2.83, 1.33 frequency and average duration of absences of 2.12. Conclusions: It is concluded that dental reasons had little weight on total absences due to illness that caused the temporary leave of the worker for a shorter period. The age and function variables influence the occurrence of work absenteeism.

Introducción: La legislación vigente brasileña establece que, en las industrias, los servicios de salud se realizan por el Servicio Especializado en Ingeniería de Seguridad y en Medicina del Trabajo (SESMT). Objetivo: Analizar las causas del absentismo por razones odontológicas y médicas y verificar la interferencia de factores como edad, sexo y función del trabajador, además de razones que más llevaron al empleado a ausentarse de su trabajo. Material y métodos: La investigación es un estudio descriptivo de abordaje cuantitativo. Se examinaron los certificados odontológicos y médicos y declaraciones de comparecencia debidamente homologados de una industria del sector acrílico del municipio de Araçatuba-SP, en el periodo de enero a julio de 2011. Resultados: Del total de certificados (n=1841), solo 103 (5,6%) presentaron razones odontológicas. Se observó predominancia de franja etaria de 20 a 29 años, sexo masculino y función no administrativa. Las causas odontológicas y médicas más comunes indicadas en los certificados que llevaron al funcionario a ausentarse del trabajo fueron "dientes incluidos e impactados" y "diarrea y gastroenteritis de origen infeccioso presumible", respectivamente. Sobre los factores relacionados al absentismo, se observó un índice de gravedad de 2,83, de frecuencia de 1,33 y la duración media de ausencias de 2,12. Conclusiones: Se concluye que las razones odontológicas tuvieron poca importancia sobre el total de ausencias por motivos de enfermedad, además que provocaron el ausentismo del trabajador por un periodo menor. Las variables edad y función no influyeron en la ocurrencia del absentismo en el trabajo.

Este estudo transversal e descritivo objetivou verificar a prevalência de hábitos de sucção em pré-escolares e a percepção dos pais sobre a relação com a ocorrência de maloclusões. A população do estudo constituiu-se por uma amostra representativa de pais de pré-escolares de 4 meses a 6 anos de idade. Utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado, composto por questões abertas e fechadas, referentes à frequência e conhecimentos dos pais frente aos hábitos de sucção não nutritivos. Dos 356 participantes da pesquisa, 70,8% afirmaram que as crianças apresentavam algum hábito bucal, sendo a sucção de chupeta o mais frequente (45,6%). Apesar da grande maioria dos pesquisados (97,1%) relatarem saber que os hábitos podiam causar prejuízo aos dentes, 70,2% deles já haviam oferecido chupeta à criança, na maioria das vezes para acalmá-la (61,8%). Houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre a oferta da chupeta à criança e o conhecimento sobre a relação da presença de hábitos não nutritivos e a ocorrência de maloclusão (p < 0,0001 e Qui-quadrado = 60,123). A prevalência de hábitos bucais na população estudada é alta e, apesar da maioria dos pais saberem que o hábito de sucção de chupeta pode causar danos à saúde bucal, ofertavam a chupeta a fim de acalmar a criança.

This cross-sectional and descriptive study sought to verify the prevalence of sucking habits in preschoolers and their parents' perception of its relationship with the occurrence of malocclusion. The population consisted of a representative sample of parents of preschoolers aged between 4 months and 6 years old. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used, consisting of open and closed questions relating to frequency of use and knowledge of parents regarding non-nutritive sucking habits. Of the 356 respondents, 70.8% stated that the children had some oral habit, with pacifier sucking being the most frequent (45.6%). Although the majority (97.1%) of the parents or caregivers admitted being aware that these habits could be detrimental to teeth, 70.2% of the respondents had already offered a pacifier to children, in most cases to calm them (61.8%). There was a statistically significant association between offering a pacifier to a child and knowledge about the relationship of the existence of non-nutritive habits and the occurrence of malocclusion (p <0.0001 and Chi-square = 60.123). The conclusion is that the prevalence of oral habits of the population is high and, despite the majority of parents knowing that pacifier sucking can cause damage to oral health, they offer them to calm the child.

Este estudo transversal e descritivo objetivou verificar a prevalência de hábitos de sucção em pré-escolares e a percepção dos pais sobre a relação com a ocorrência de maloclusões. A população do estudo constituiu-se por uma amostra representativa de pais de pré-escolares de 4 meses a 6 anos de idade. Utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado, composto por questões abertas e fechadas, referentes à frequência e conhecimentos dos pais frente aos hábitos de sucção não nutritivos. Dos 356 participantes da pesquisa, 70,8% afirmaram que as crianças apresentavam algum hábito bucal, sendo a sucção de chupeta o mais frequente (45,6%). Apesar da grande maioria dos pesquisados (97,1%) relatarem saber que os hábitos podiam causar prejuízo aos dentes, 70,2% deles já haviam oferecido chupeta à criança, na maioria das vezes para acalmá-la (61,8%). Houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre a oferta da chupeta à criança e o conhecimento sobre a relação da presença de hábitos não nutritivos e a ocorrência de maloclusão (p < 0,0001 e Qui-quadrado = 60,123). A prevalência de hábitos bucais na população estudada é alta e, apesar da maioria dos pais saberem que o hábito de sucção de chupeta pode causar danos à saúde bucal, ofertavam a chupeta a fim de acalmar a criança.

This cross-sectional and descriptive study sought to verify the prevalence of sucking habits in preschoolers and their parents' perception of its relationship with the occurrence of malocclusion. The population consisted of a representative sample of parents of preschoolers aged between 4 months and 6 years old. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used, consisting of open and closed questions relating to frequency of use and knowledge of parents regarding non-nutritive sucking habits. Of the 356 respondents, 70.8% stated that the children had some oral habit, with pacifier sucking being the most frequent (45.6%). Although the majority (97.1%) of the parents or caregivers admitted being aware that these habits could be detrimental to teeth, 70.2% of the respondents had already offered a pacifier to children, in most cases to calm them (61.8%). There was a statistically significant association between offering a pacifier to a child and knowledge about the relationship of the existence of non-nutritive habits and the occurrence of malocclusion (p <0.0001 and Chi-square = 60.123). The conclusion is that the prevalence of oral habits of the population is high and, despite the majority of parents knowing that pacifier sucking can cause damage to oral health, they offer them to calm the child.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar níveis de estresse e qualidade do sono em indivíduos com DTM. METODOLOGIA: O universo desta pesquisa constituiu-se por 354 indivíduos de ambos os sexos do município de Piacatu, SP, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados através do uso de: Questionário de Fonseca para verificar o grau de DTM, Índice da Qualidade do Sono de Pittsburgh (PSQI) para a qualidade do sono e a Escala de Reajustamento Social (SRRS) para o grau de estresse. Os dados foram tabulados por meio do programa Epi Info 2000, versão 3.2, e analisados estatisticamente por meio do Teste Qui-Quadrado, ao nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Do total, 180 (50,8%) apresentavam algum grau de disfunção temporomandibular, sendo que destes, 96 (53,3%) tinham distúrbios do sono e 107 (59,4%) graus mais elevados de estresse. O teste estatístico mostrou relação entre os fatores analisados (P<0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Há associação estatisticamente significativa entre qualidade do sono e estresse em indivíduos com DTM.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to test the association between quality of sleep and stress in individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). METHODS: The study sample consisted of 354 adult subjects (males and females) from the municipality of Piacatu, São Paulo state, in the Southeast region of Brazil. Data were collected using the Fonseca's Questionnaire to record the level of TMD, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess quality of sleep and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) to record stress level. The data were analyzed by the software Epi Info 2000 version 3.2 using a chi-square test at the 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty (50.8%) subjects had some level of TMD. The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the three stress scores and the presence or absence of sleep disorders, considering an overall PSQI score > 5 as an indicator of a subject with sleep problems (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Both quality of sleep and stress levels were associated with TMD in this sample.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a percepção de educadores e alunos das escolas públicas de Araçatuba, SP, Brasil, sobre a importância da prática, dificuldades e sentimentos em relação aos bochechos fluorados. METODOLOGIA: Selecionaram-se as escolas sem e com atenção de saúde bucal por cirurgião-dentista. Os alunos de 5ª a 8ª séries responderam perguntas sobre o sentimento em relação ao bochecho. Utilizou-se a escala de faces de Andrews, que é uma escala intervalar de sete pontos composta por faces estilizadas e a metodologia da temática simples para análise das questões. Os educadores responderam a perguntas sobre a importância do método preventivo e dificuldades na sua realização. Utilizou-se a Escala de Likert com o formato típico de cinco níveis de respostas para verificar o nível de concordância com as perguntas. RESULTADOS: A amostra consistiu de 264 (40,3%) educadores e 5.788 (73,6%) alunos, que responderam o questionário. Do total, 254 (96,2%) dos educadores responderam favoravelmente à primeira questão e 72 (27,3%), à segunda questão. Um total de 1.128 (19,5%) alunos mostrou sentimento negativo em relação ao bochecho. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria dos educadores foi favorável à realização dos bochechos, entretanto grande parte acredita atrapalhar o bom andamento da escola. A maior parte dos alunos apresentou um sentimento positivo em relação ao bochecho, inclusive relevando aspectos considerados ruins pela percepção do benefício que o método proporciona.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions and opinions of public school teachers and students in the city of Araçatuba, SP, Brazil, on the importance of using fluoridated mouthwashes, the difficulties of the method and the procedure in general. METHODS: Students from grades 5 through 8 in schools with and without dental services were asked about their opinion on the use of fluoridated mouthwashes. The educators answered questions about the importance of preventive methods in oral health and the difficulties in performing those methods at school. Data were collected using a faces scale, a categorization method, and a Likert scale with five levels of responses to check the level of agreement with the questions. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 264 (40.3%) teachers and 5,788 (73.6%) students. A total of 254 (96.2%) and 72 (27.3%) teachers responded favorably to the first and second questions, respectively. A total of 1,128 (19.5%) students had negative feelings about the fluoridated mouthwash. CONCLUSION: The majority of the teachers supported the use of fluoridated mouthwashes; however, a large number of teachers believed that the practice disrupts the class routine. Most of the students had a positive opinion about the use of fluoridated mouthwash, although they highlighted some negative aspects, which were overcome by the benefits that the method provides.

O profissional de saúde é um ponto-chave para a implementação do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). À medida que exerce sua função, o sistema passa do aspecto teórico-conceitual para a prática da atenção. Objetivou-se neste estudo verificar o nível de conhecimento sobre o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) dos coordenadores de saúde bucal e cirurgiões-dentistas do serviço público dos 40 municípios da região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo. Utilizou-se um questionário estruturado, autoaplicável, composto de questões referentes aos princípios doutrinários e organizativos do SUS, controle social, financiamento, formação de recursos humanos, atenção e assistência em saúde. Dos entrevistados, 77 (89,5%) não sabiam quem era o responsável pelo planejamento e execução da assistência, 53 (61,6%) não tinham conhecimento de equidade, 46 (53,5%) de fundo de saúde e 45 (52,3%) de controle social. Conclui-se que existe deficiência no conhecimento de determinados assuntos, havendo necessidade de promoção de cursos a respeito da filosofia do SUS.

The health professional is a key element for the implementation of Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS - National Health System). As it executes its function, this system goes from the theoretical and conceptual aspect to the care practice. The aim of this study was to verify the knowledge level about the National Health System (SUS) of the oral health coordinators and dental surgeons working in the public service of the forty cities located in the northwest region of the State of São Paulo. The study used a structured, self-administered questionnaire with questions about the National Health System's doctrinal and organizational principles, social control, financing, human resources education, health care and assistance. Among the interviewees, 77 (89.5%) did not know who was responsible for the planning and execution of assistance, 53 (61.6%) did not have knowledge about equity, 46 (53.5%) about health capital and 45 (52.3%) about social control. The conclusion was that there is lack of knowledge regarding some subjects; therefore, it is necessary to offer courses about the philosophy of the National Health System (SUS).

O profissional de saúde é um ponto-chave para a implementação do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). À medida que exerce sua função, o sistema passa do aspecto teórico-conceitual para a prática da atenção. Objetivou-se neste estudo verificar o nível de conhecimento sobre o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) dos coordenadores de saúde bucal e cirurgiões-dentistas do serviço público dos 40 municípios da região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo. Utilizou-se um questionário estruturado, autoaplicável, composto de questões referentes aos princípios doutrinários e organizativos do SUS, controle social, financiamento, formação de recursos humanos, atenção e assistência em saúde. Dos entrevistados, 77 (89,5%) não sabiam quem era o responsável pelo planejamento e execução da assistência, 53 (61,6%) não tinham conhecimento de equidade, 46 (53,5%) de fundo de saúde e 45 (52,3%) de controle social. Conclui-se que existe deficiência no conhecimento de determinados assuntos, havendo necessidade de promoção de cursos a respeito da filosofia do SUS.

The health professional is a key element for the implementation of Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS - National Health System). As it executes its function, this system goes from the theoretical and conceptual aspect to the care practice. The aim of this study was to verify the knowledge level about the National Health System (SUS) of the oral health coordinators and dental surgeons working in the public service of the forty cities located in the northwest region of the State of São Paulo. The study used a structured, self-administered questionnaire with questions about the National Health System's doctrinal and organizational principles, social control, financing, human resources education, health care and assistance. Among the interviewees, 77 (89.5%) did not know who was responsible for the planning and execution of assistance, 53 (61.6%) did not have knowledge about equity, 46 (53.5%) about health capital and 45 (52.3%) about social control. The conclusion was that there is lack of knowledge regarding some subjects; therefore, it is necessary to offer courses about the philosophy of the National Health System (SUS).