Oral Health Workforce in Brazil: Structure, Distribution, and Labor Market Dynamics
1
Núcleo de Educação em Saúde Coletiva/Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3517
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The implementation of Brazil’s National Oral Health Policy (Brasil Sorridente) in 2024 led to a substantial expansion of oral health services within the Unified Health System (SUS). To support the consolidation of this policy, it is essential to understand the structure, sociodemographic profile, and labor market dynamics of the oral health workforce. This study analyzes the composition, geographic distribution, and employment characteristics of oral health professions in Brazil, identifying regional mismatches between supply and demand and key barriers to professional practice.
METHODS:
This study is based on the compilation and analysis of secondary data from official public databases, including the National Registry of Health Facilities (CNES), the Annual Social Information Report (RAIS), the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNAD Contínua), the Higher Education Census (INEP), and administrative records from the Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO). These sources enabled the characterization of workforce size, sociodemographic profile, geographic distribution, employment relationships, and training flows of higher-education oral health professionals.
RESULTS:
Between 2010 and 2024, the oral health workforce expanded, with dentists comprising the majority relative to oral health technicians and assistants. Despite overall growth, marked regional inequalities persist, with lower availability of professionals in the North and Northeast regions. Public-sector employment was concentrated in the Family Health Strategy, while the private sector absorbed a larger share of dentists. Labor market trends indicate increasing precarious contracts, growth of autonomous practice, and declining formal employment. The workforce also showed pronounced feminization and sustained high dropout rates in dentistry training programs.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings highlight the need for policies to improve the geographic distribution of oral health professionals, reduce labor market precariousness, and strengthen multiprofessional practice. Addressing regional inequalities, ensuring adequate training, and balancing workforce supply are essential to promote equitable and comprehensive oral health care within SUS.
The implementation of Brazil’s National Oral Health Policy (Brasil Sorridente) in 2024 led to a substantial expansion of oral health services within the Unified Health System (SUS). To support the consolidation of this policy, it is essential to understand the structure, sociodemographic profile, and labor market dynamics of the oral health workforce. This study analyzes the composition, geographic distribution, and employment characteristics of oral health professions in Brazil, identifying regional mismatches between supply and demand and key barriers to professional practice.
METHODS:
This study is based on the compilation and analysis of secondary data from official public databases, including the National Registry of Health Facilities (CNES), the Annual Social Information Report (RAIS), the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNAD Contínua), the Higher Education Census (INEP), and administrative records from the Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO). These sources enabled the characterization of workforce size, sociodemographic profile, geographic distribution, employment relationships, and training flows of higher-education oral health professionals.
RESULTS:
Between 2010 and 2024, the oral health workforce expanded, with dentists comprising the majority relative to oral health technicians and assistants. Despite overall growth, marked regional inequalities persist, with lower availability of professionals in the North and Northeast regions. Public-sector employment was concentrated in the Family Health Strategy, while the private sector absorbed a larger share of dentists. Labor market trends indicate increasing precarious contracts, growth of autonomous practice, and declining formal employment. The workforce also showed pronounced feminization and sustained high dropout rates in dentistry training programs.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings highlight the need for policies to improve the geographic distribution of oral health professionals, reduce labor market precariousness, and strengthen multiprofessional practice. Addressing regional inequalities, ensuring adequate training, and balancing workforce supply are essential to promote equitable and comprehensive oral health care within SUS.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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