A força do trabalho feminino na Odontologia, em Araçatuba - SP

Abstract

A process of femininity has been recently occurring in the professions, mainly in the health field. In this study, the authors aimed at analyzing the dental practice by women as regards the income, degree of satisfaction and problems they have been facing. One hundred female dentists from Araçatuba, SP, were interviewed and answered a questionnaire designed for that purpose, which contained thirty questions. The results showed that 87% are not the main source of income of the family. Among the interviewed, 38% have an income below R$ 1500; 44% agreed that the income from dental practice is not enough. From all, 78% considered themselves as satisfied with the profession, however 58.2% would not stimulate their children to pursue the dental career. The main complains are the low income and saturation of the profession. Concerning health, 50.5% have some professional diseases, mainly backache and varicose veins. It was concluded that, even though most subjects stated to be satisfied with the profession, aspects such as financial and health problems, complains and no recommendation of this career for their children demonstrate their sometimes unconscious dissatisfaction with the dental practice.

Musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic aspects of dentistry

“…This may induce mechanical compression of structures such as hands and shoulders as a function of inadequate postures or excessive strength used for surgical techniques 6 . These complaints are primarily related to neck, shoulders and cervical and lumbar spine pain, similar to those found in most studies 1,21,22,26,28 , stressing that poor posture-related health problems are still afflicting professionals, in spite of technological advances. To consider professionals correctly positioned on the bench, they should sit symmetrically erect and most possible to the back, allowing the sternum bone to be slightly advanced and raised, abdominal muscles should be smoothly compressed and back should be supported by posterior hip bones 12,18 .…”

“…It was also observed that the number of medical leaves caused by musculoskeletal disorders was high, especially among public sector professionals (64%). The presence of pain/injury related to dentists occupation was high in this study (65.67%) and there has been higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among females (67.86%), result also found in most literature studies 6,21,26,27 . Female dentists and surgery specialists have more injury than males and any other specialty and such factor may be related to high strengths and continuous pressures occurring during such procedures 23 .…”

“…Female dentists and surgery specialists have more injury than males and any other specialty and such factor may be related to high strengths and continuous pressures occurring during such procedures 23 . Although there is no evident reason for musculoskeletal pain among females, there is a suggestion in these studies that females are more attentive to their health and wellbeing, go through several monthly hormonal changes or that they might have a lower pain threshold as compared to males, being less resistant to constant pain and daily stresses 6,21,26,27 . Dentists participating in this study have reported that long working hours (59.70%) and not maintaining working position (40.30%) are items worsening pain at the end of the day.…”

O uso de equipamentos de proteção individual entre graduandos de cursos da área da saúde e a contribuição das instituições formadoras

“…Estudos realizados com graduandos e profissionais da área da saúde têm revelado que em grande parte, se não em sua maioria, estes são do sexo feminino. Eles demonstram que nos últimos anos tem havido um processo de feminilização nas profissões, principalmente na área da saúde (6) .…”

Flexibilização Dos Vínculos De Trabalho Na Atenção Secundária: Limites Da Política Nacional De Saúde Bucal

“…Também no caso da atenção odontológica, antes mesmo da criação da Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal (PNSB) em 2004, já se verificavam profissionais trabalhando em regimes precários (Nogueira, 1999;Moimaz, 2003;Nogueira, Baraldi e Rodrigues, 2004). Sabe-se, contudo, que foi apenas no ano 2000, quando o Ministério da Saúde propôs mudanças na atenção à saúde bucal para assegurar o cumprimento dos princípios do SUS, que a assistência odontológica foi definitivamente incorporada aos serviços básicos de saúde.…”