DETERMINANTES SOCIAIS, HIGIENE BUCAL E ACESSO A SERVIÇOS ODONTOLÓGICOS DE TRABALHADORES DA LIMPEZA URBANA NO BRASIL: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA DE LITERATURA

Abstract

Objective: the aim of this integrative literature review was to identify social determinants, oral hygiene habits and characteristics of access to dental services among waste pickers in Brazil. Sources of Data: the research was carried out in March 2024 in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and CAPES Periodicals Portal Databases. All the publications related to the topic were included, regardless of the year of publication and language. Repeated publications were excluded, so that 132 publications were found. Of these, 15 articles were selected after reading the titles and the abstracts. Synthesis of Data: the results indicate that the majority of workers are men, black, of advanced age and with low income and that a considerable proportion use alcohol and/or tobacco. A scarcity  of studies regarding oral hygiene habits and access to dental services was identified. There was a predominance of caries disease, with impacts on daily activities, health and social relationships. Despite the profession becoming official, the population is in a vulnerable situation. Conclusion: it is necessary to build public policies that integrate the different dimensions of the problem: social inclusion, public health and rescuing the dignity of these workers, with a view to promoting and protecting health.