THE INSERTION OF ORAL HEALTH IN THE FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGY: ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES FOR COMPREHENSIVE CARE IN THE SUS

Abstract

The Family Health Strategy (FHS) represents the main model for the reorganization of primary care in the Unified Health System (SUS). The insertion of Oral Health Teams (OHT) in this context, especially after the creation of the National Oral Health Policy (Smiling Brazil), expanded access to dental services and consolidated the importance of oral health as an integral part of comprehensive health care. However, despite the advances, challenges persist that hinder the effectiveness of comprehensive care, such as the fragmentation of practices, the low articulation with the other levels of care and the limited training of professionals for interdisciplinary work. This study aimed to analyze, through an integrative literature review, the advances and challenges of the insertion of oral health in the FHS in the context of promoting comprehensive care. The search was carried out in the SciELO, LILACS, and PubMed databases, including studies published between 2008 and 2025. The results reveal significant progress, such as the expansion of coverage and the valorization of preventive practices, but also highlight obstacles related to management, infrastructure and professional training. It is concluded that, although oral health has gained space in the FHS, intersectoral strategies, investments in continuing education and restructuring of the work process are necessary to ensure the integrality of care and the effectiveness of oral health actions.