Impacto da saúde bucal de pacientes com paralisia cerebral no cuidador

Abstract

Objective: Our study sought to evaluate how oral health of children and adolescents with CP affects their caregivers’ life. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach conducted in Aracaju, state of Sergipe, Brazil, from July 2019 to April 2020. Data from 22 caregivers were collected at the Dental Unit for Special Patients at the Universidade Federal do Sergipe (Hospital University), using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Family Impact Scale (FIS). Results: Women were more prevalent as main caregivers (81%), and 19 out of the 22 interviewees were full time caregivers. Regarding the profile of the patient with CP, 67% were boys between 11 and 15 years old (38%). For the analysis of the FIS, an impact average of 33 points were found. Conclusion: We observed a high impact of oral health of patients with CP on their caregivers. On the other hand, caregivers are increasingly looking for resources that enable not only their children’s physical, but also their oral well-being, with participation in government programs aimed at education in oral health.