THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPLEMENTING CAVITY PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN THE BRAZILIAN PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM (SUS)

Abstract

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease with high prevalence, representing a significant public health problem in Brazil. This study aimed to discuss the importance of cavity prevention programs in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and how these programs impact the population’s oral health. This is a narrative literature review based on the analysis of scientific articles, official documents, and academic papers obtained from platforms such as Google Scholar, SciELO, and official government websites, with no restrictions on language or publication date. Materials in Portuguese and Spanish, freely accessible and related to preventive strategies and public oral health policies, were included. The results show that measures such as water fluoridation, topical fluoride application, health education, and supervised oral hygiene are effective in reducing the incidence of caries, especially when integrated into programs like Brasil Sorridente. However, challenges persist, including resource shortages, inequalities in access to dental services, and the lack of continuous policies for distributing basic hygiene items. The final considerations point out that caries prevention requires articulation between public policies, educational practices, and health promotion actions. It is concluded that strengthening preventive strategies within SUS is essential to ensure equity in care and improve the population’s quality of life, establishing oral health as an integral part of overall health.