DENTAL CARE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD: CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPLAINTS, PROCEDURES, AND CHALLENGES AT THE FACULDADE METROPOLITANA DENTAL CLINIC

Abstract

Oral health in early childhood is a decisive factor in a child's holistic development, impacting nutrition, speech, sleep, social behavior, and self-esteem. This study aimed to characterize dental care provided to children in early childhood at the Faculdade Metropolitana Dental Clinic, identifying the main complaints, procedures performed, and challenges faced by professionals. It was a descriptive, exploratory field study using mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative), conducted through semi-structured interviews with 23 professionals with over one year of experience at the clinic, between August 17 and September 10, 2026. Quantitative data underwent descriptive statistical analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed using Bardin’s (2011) content analysis method. The research adhered to National Health Council Resolution No. 466/2012 and Law No. 13.709/2018 (LGPD) and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. All participants (100%) acknowledged the recurrence of complaints regarding cavities; toothache (78.3%) and cavities (65.2%) were the most frequently cited complaints; 73.9% observed partial or non-existent family adherence to preventive advice; and 56.5% noted a predominance of curative procedures, despite a consensus (100%) on the importance of prevention. The results confirm the three hypotheses and highlight the importance of early dental care, pointing to ways to strengthen preventive practices at the clinic, such as consistent care and established care routines.