A Prática odontológica hospitalar na percepção de pacientes oncológicos e de seus acompanhantes assistidos em serviço público de referência, Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

It is known that hospital dental practice favors comprehensive health care. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the perception of hospitalized patients and their companions, at the Oncology Center of the University Hospital Oswaldo Cruz, University of Pernambuco (CEON/HUOC/UPE), about the importance of health, oral care and the relevance to have the dental surgeon integrate the health team in the hospital environment. This is an original, descriptive, cross-sectional study, whose data were obtained through interviews. Survey conducted in November and December 2019; January, February and September 2020. Data tabulated in EPI INFO 3.5.4 software, and submitted to descriptive analysis. Sample consisting of 58 inmates/companions aged between 7 and 86 years, male predominance. Ninety percent of respondents considered it important to have a dentist in the hospital environment and 79.3% stated that dental care provided an improvement in their clinical condition. Among the benefits arising from dental care, the following were mentioned: oral pain relief, improvement in nutrition and quality of life. Forty percent of patients had not sought dental care for more than two years, 56.9% reported only going to the dentist in an emergency. Among the causes of oral pain during hospitalization, dental problems and mucositis were the most mentioned. Most patients believe that oral health influences general health and understand that the presence of a dentist in the hospital team is essential.