Abstract

MOURA, Altair Soares de et al. Dental care for delinquent adolescents: qualitative approach in an undergraduate dental clinic. Rev. ABENO [online]. 2011, vol.11, n.2, pp. 34-39. ISSN 1679-5954.

This study evaluated the perception of delinquent adolescents toward family, the correctional institution they attended, and oral and general health. We adopted a qualitative approach with the participation of adolescents (age 13-17) in the process of re-socialization. The adolescents were being treated in a dental clinic by undergraduate students under supervision. After signing a consent form, the adolescents were interviewed and their statements were recorded, transcribed and submitted to content analysis. For most adolescents, family was defined as an area of conflict and remote from their daily lives. As for their correctional institution, they reported that it offered several different activities, sports, art and education, all of which had to be completed according to a rigorous schedule. At some point in the interview, all mentioned the reward gained from different "benefits" for good behavior within the institution, and the greater freedom desired by all. Health was defined as employment, access to educational programs, access to medical care and nursing, and participation in courses offered at the institution. Personal aspects of self-care, such as a good food, sports practice and body hygiene, were also mentioned as determinants of health. To some, health meant freedom, abandonment of drugs and of crime. Oral health was defined by all adolescents as oral hygiene.

Keywords : Delinquent adolescent; Self-image; Health; Oral health; Qualitative research.