Importância do conhecimento do cirurgião-dentista na compreensão da língua brasileira de sinais na prática odontológica

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aims to assess, through a questionnaire, which challenges the Deaf face during dental care, evaluating the difficulties of communication and preparation of dentists regarding Libras. It was developed in the dental clinic of the Dentistry course at the University of Caxias do Sul/RS. Initially conceived to involve 127 participants: 63 Deaf patients and 64 students and professors of the Dentistry course, but due to the low adherence of the Deaf community to participate, even though dental care is free, and the difficulties arising from the coronavirus pandemic (SARS- CoV-2), it was not possible to reach the desired number of participants. Thus, dental care was provided to two Deaf patients, being seen by four dentistry students, supervised by a professor of the course. To reach a greater number of data for the research, only the questionnaires were applied to the Deaf in person, at the headquarters of the Society of the Deaf in Caxias do Sul, without carrying out dental appointments. The results were submitted to statistical analysis to compare the results, according to the percentages of the participants' responses. After the research data collection, teaching material was prepared in the form of a booklet containing Libras dental signs. We conclude that the results obtained from this research aim to make dentistry professionals aware of the importance of seeking training in Libras, to proceed properly and with accessibility during the care of Deaf patients, overcoming communication and accessibility barriers. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]