Experiences of access to oral health of homeless women

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the experience of access to oral health initiatives and services of homeless women in the city of Teresina, Piauí. A qualitative research, guided by the interpretative paradigm, was conducted with homeless women who were under the care of specialized institutions. The data were obtained using semi-structured interviews, which were recorded and transcribed. The analyses of the interviews were based on the hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer (2015), combined with the contributions of Paul Ricoeur (1976). Thirteen interviews were conducted, identifying two units of meaning: Being-woman and homeless; and Access to oral health initiatives and services. Poor oral health conditions and difficulty in accessing oral health initiatives and services were reported by the participants. Those problems were aggravated by the status of being a woman. The existing health policies should be put into practice and should, additionally, take into account female peculiarities. Although the public health system is available for the oral health care of homeless people, the Street Clinic service would benefit from the participation of an oral health professional.