Meanings produced by dentists in caring for patients with mental disorders: a qualitative study

Mental health care in Brazil has advanced considerably over the last few decades, moving away from a mental institution model towards a community care model. However, advances in oral health care for these patients are still incipient, with a lack of promotion strategies, which leaves these patients with high level of vulnerability to developing oral diseases. The aim is to understand the meanings produced by Primary Health Care Dental Surgeons about the dental care offered to patients with mental disorders. A qualitative study was carried out with Primary Health Care Dentists. Data was produced through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Grounded Theory of Data and interpreted based on ideas presented by Caguilhem in his work "The normal and the pathological". From the analysis using open and axial coding, six categories were drawn up: 1) care focused on spontaneous demand; 2) "we don't have this training; 3) complexity of care; 4) a "normal" patient; 5) A special patient; 6) need for family support. Dental Surgeons understand that care for people with mental disorders is poor, which for them stems from a lack of training and knowledge about people with mental disorders.