Avaliação sobre a importância da solicitação e interpretação dos exames laboratoriais bioquímicos por parte dos cirurgiões dentistas do município de Patos, Paraíba

Abstract

Complementary laboratory tests are fundamental in dental practice and directly interfere in the patient's treatment and recovery plan. Thus, in 2002, the Ordinance of the Ministry of Health recognized the dentist's right to request and interpret such exams. The research aimed to evaluate the knowledge of dentists in the city of Patos, in Paraíba, about the request and interpretation of biochemical laboratory tests. The methodology consisted of data collection carried out during visits to Basic Health Units (UBS), using an individual and self-completed questionnaire. With the answers it was possible to make a general survey of data. Regarding the request for biochemical tests such as lipidogram, blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin in the dental care routine, 60% (n=21) of professionals say they do not request such tests from patients. 94.3% (n=33) stated that it is important to prescribe biochemical tests in the routine of care. 94.3% (n=33) agree that laboratory tests help in the adequate choice of treatment and consequent recovery of the patient, on the other hand. 77.1% (n=27) of the professionals interviewed declared they were confident in requesting biochemical tests from the patient, while 22.9% (n=8) claimed insecurity in the request. 85.7% (n=30) did not feel confident to interpret the results of laboratory tests without the reference values, while 14.3% (n=5) said they were confident in interpreting even without the reference values. 80% (n=28) consider learning about complementary exams in the curriculum of dental faculties insufficient, on the other hand, 20% (n=7) said it was sufficient. It is concluded that most dentistry professionals, from Primary Care in the city of Patos-PB, do not include the request of biochemical complementary exams in the routine of care because they are less invasive procedures, but they affirm its importance for the criterion of choice of treatment plan and patient recovery. here is a need for changes in the curriculum of the dentistry course in relation to teaching-learning on the request and interpretation of these exams, since a significant part of the interviewees report insufficiency.