Abstract

The Public Oral Health Policy in Chile establishes priority of health care for pregnant women through the GES Pregnant Women Program (GESPP). It gives guaranteed access to promotion, prevention, or treatment procedures in order to either maintain or recover the oral health and to educate about the role of oral health in their family. This study aimed to explore the GESPP in relation to its objectives, implementation, and impact through the discourse of a group of beneficiary mothers of Family Health Centers (CESFAM) selected in two communities in Santiago Chile, and the discourse of institutional actors linked to it. Individual interviews to 20 mothers who were beneficiaries of GESPP and to four institutional leaders at a central level were conducted. Besides, four discussion groups with the key stakeholders involved in the implementation of the program at a local level (CESFAM and Municipalities) and at a central level (Regional Ministerial Health Secretary and Ministry of Health) were performed. Interviews and discussion groups were recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis in line with the framework to explore. Preliminary analyses indicate that mothers have incorporated the educational and preventive part but do not admit to have been part of a special guaranteed program. The main barriers reported by the health team are the low adherence of pregnant women to education and the lack of educational support material. The results of this study will generate recommendations to strengthen the GESPP to help its ultimate goal, which is to reduce the prevalence of oral diseases and for the mothers to take over the health of their family.