APPROACH TO DENTAL PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION: AN INTERVENTION STUDY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the perception of dentists of the Family Health Strategy Program in Campina Grande-PB in approaching patients with hypertension. It was a "before and after" intervention study, in which 33 professionals were interviewed. We used a semi-structured questionnaire containing 08 questions on the subject, applied on two occasions, before and after an informative lecture, this step being performed after 30 days. The statistical test used was the McNemar test with a significance level of 5%. All professionals said they knew what hypertension was and the risk factors, the percentage increased from 90.9% to 100% after the informative presentation. Regarding the oral manifestations in patients with hypertension, no professionals answered the questions correctly in the first interview, however 69.7% answered the questions correctly in the second interview. As to knowledge about the amount and type of anesthesia to be used in hypertensive patients, the percentages of correct responses were higher after the informative lecture (p<0,005). The interdisciplinary interaction on the care to patients with hypertension was high (90.9%) and only one professional (3%) said that he does not have this practice (p = 0.500) in the second interview. Initially, only 9% of the respondents answered correctly about the care related to drug interactions, increasing to 87.9% in the second interview (p <0.001). Participation in HIPERDIA increased from 39.4% to 57.65% (p=0.004) after the educational lecture. The informative lecture increased the knowledge of professionals on the subject and the university, as an opinion maker, must participate in the continuing education of professionals.