EXPECTATION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND KNOWLEDGE OF WATER SURVEILLANCE’S WORKERS ON FLUORIDATION

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge of water surveillance workers about fluoridation and the expectations of professional development. Professionals from seven municipalities in a Brazilian metropolitan region were interviewed. Thematic Content Analysis technique was applied. Although knowledge about the role of surveillance was adequate, there were doubts about the objectives, risks, and benefits of fluoridation. Furthermore, the workers' attention was not compatible with the relevance of positive effects and safety of this public health measure has in the health of the population. There is a fragility of the structure and institutionality of the surveillance practices about the fluoride parameter in the local health surveillance organizations.