EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ORAL HEALTH POLICIES ARGENTINA-BRAZIL: 20YEARS FROM A COMPARED PERSPECTIVE: perspectives between Argentina and Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Almost half of the world population suffers disability from oral problems. In Argentina and Brazil, tooth decay is still a problem to be faced, as well the lack of access to oral health services. However, there are few studies in the literature that compare the epidemiological profiles and oral health policies of these countries in recent decades in the perspective of internationals goals.

Objectives: Compare the socioeconomics scenarios, epidemiological profiles and oral health policies of Argentina and Brazil in the period 2000-2020.

Methodology: In this case study, we carried out a documental analysis to compare the oral health policies of each country with the Oral Health 2020 Targets proposed by the WHO. In addition to the epidemiological profile in tabular description, we compared socioeconomics indicators to understand the phenomenon of oral health.

Results: The findings reveal that oral health policies are more robust and articulated in Brazil than in Argentina. Countries have different epidemiological profiles. While general health and education indicators are better in Argentina; economic indicator favor the Brazilian population.

Conclusions: Public access to oral health had an important decrease as of 2016 in both countries, coinciding with the implementation of neoliberal policies that brought an increase in informal employment and poverty in countries, which can increase inequality in oral health. Thus, the new political and economic scenarios put the continuity of oral health policies at risk.