THE MANAGEMENT OF ORAL HEALTH IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF THE STATE OF GOIÁS IN THE 2018 – 2021 TERM: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PLANNING INSTRUMENTS OF BRAZILIAN NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM (SUS)

Abstract

Introduction: The planning instruments of the Unified Health System (SUS) play a central role in organizing, strategically guiding, and ensuring the quality and effectiveness of health services in Brazil, including oral health care. However, in some regions, access to oral health services may be unequal due to a lack of equity strategies within the planning instruments. This is because oral health may not be adequately addressed by management, resulting in insufficient resources allocated to this area. Objective: To analyze the SUS planning instruments of municipalities in Goiás regarding oral health care. Methodology: An exploratory study was conducted, involving documentary analysis of Municipal Health Plans (PMS) and Annual Management Reports (RAG) of municipalities in Goiás from 2018 to 2021. Results: Out of 246 municipalities in Goiás, only the PMS of 167 could be analyzed. A significant variation was observed in how objectives, goals, actions, and indicators related to oral health were described. The most frequent oral health indicator was "estimated population coverage of oral health in primary care." Among the municipalities analyzed, only 29 managed to meet their health goals. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for greater standardization and clarity in the development of PMS, especially concerning oral health.