``Ser Criança''—an oral health literacy program for vulnerable children and families

Background: Oral health literacy and knowledge about primary prevention methods are essential to decrease possible effects of poor oral health on systemic health. This is more evident among the vunerable communities. The objectives of this work consists in the establishment of methods to promote oral health literacy applicable to the participants of the “Ser Criança” program, namely: development of a website—“Ser Criança—Aprender a Sorrir” (To be a Child—Learning to Smile) and creation of a protocol for remote dental appointment supported by information obtained by intraoral photos, using teledentistry. Methods: The work developed was focused on the development of a website for oral health literacy accessed by children of vulnerable communities and the creation of a pilot-protocol for remote dental appointment, by teledentistry, which can offer valuable diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive care online for the children and families involved which may not have easy access to oral health services. Results: The “Ser Criança” program is a initiative designed to empower communities with knowledge about oral health and to facilitate the detection and treatment of potential oral pathologies among children. The development of a digital platform for early education represents a strategic approach to improve oral health promotion and disease prevention, particularly among vulnerable communities. Conclusions: Promoting oral health literacy and understanding primary prevention methods are essential to reduce the negative impact of poor oral health on systemic conditions. The “Ser Criança” program represents a pioneering effort aimed at empowering communities with oral health knowledge and facilitating early detection and treatment of dental issues in children.

Children; Oral health literacy; Digital education; Oral health program

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