ORAL HEALTH, THE ROLE OF DENTISTRY IN THE PRISON SYSTEM

Abstract

Dental care within the prison system plays a significant role in promoting the oral health of inmates, contributing to disease prevention, pain relief, and an improved quality of life. In addition to offering essential treatments, dental professionals educate inmates on oral hygiene and preventive care, fostering the rehabilitation and social reintegration of individuals. Paying attention to oral health is fundamental to ensuring the well-being and dignity of inmates.The objective of this study will be to evaluate the main oral diseases affecting the incarcerated population in Brazil, with a focus on reporting on dental assistance within prisons, its conditions, and the consequences arising from a lack of oral health care. This bibliographic research is an analytical and descriptive study with a narrative description of literature published between 2010 and 2024. Databases such as SCIELO, BVS, and Google Scholar were used. A total of 42 articles were found, and after selection, 14 complete articles were chosen. The article selection for the sample will consider the following search terms: oral health, prison, prison system, dental care/treatment, and inmates. It is concluded that it's important for responsible bodies to establish efficient guidelines and allocate adequate funds to ensure that the rights to oral health are fully observed and realized.