Analysis of secondary care in oral health in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The scope of this study was to describe and analyze specialized outpatient procedures in periodontics, endodontics and oral surgery performed in the State of Minas Gerais in 2010. Secondary data for the procedures performed in healthcare facilities and registered in the Information System of the Unified Health System were used. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed, considering p < 0.05. 707,559 procedures were performed in 2,547 health units distributed in 693 (81%) counties in the State. Of these procedures, 55% are in the area of surgery, 28% in periodontics and 17% in endodontics. The units are predominantly public under municipal administration, 52.5% of which have an oral health team (OHT) and 96.9% have no qualification as Dental Specialty Centers (DSCs). DSCs are more efficient than the other units (p < 0.001), but there is a significant percentage that fails to comply with the goals of the Ministry of Health. Municipalities that have DSCs have higher population, more OHTs, lower potential coverage and better HDI. A significant number of specialized procedures are performed in the State of Minas Gerais, especially in primary care settings. DSC establishments are more efficient than non-DSC, considering the average number of procedures. The minimum production goals are met by a minority of DSCs.