Thesis Proposal Dentist in Brazil Brasília – Free Word Template Download with AI

Abstract: This thesis proposal investigates critical barriers to equitable dental care access within the Federal District of Brasília, Brazil. Focusing on the role of the Dentist as a pivotal healthcare professional in Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS), this study analyzes urban-rural disparities, workforce distribution challenges, and community engagement models. By centering research in Brasília—the nation's capital with unique demographic pressures—this work aims to generate actionable policy recommendations for strengthening dental services across Brazil.

As the political and administrative heart of Brazil, Brasília faces complex healthcare challenges exacerbated by rapid urbanization and population migration. Despite having a higher concentration of healthcare infrastructure than many Brazilian cities, the Federal District experiences severe inequities in dental care access. According to 2023 IBGE data, only 43% of Brasília residents regularly utilize public dental services—a stark contrast to the national SUS target of 65%. This gap disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods like Guará and Sobradinho, where dentist-to-population ratios fall below the World Health Organization's recommended standard. As Brazil's healthcare system increasingly relies on community-based models, this thesis posits that effective solutions must be developed specifically for Brasília's socio-spatial context to inform national strategies.

The scarcity of qualified Dentist professionals remains a systemic barrier to oral health equity in Brazil. In Brasília, 78% of dental clinics operate within central districts (e.g., Lago Norte, Asa Sul), while peripheral regions suffer from chronic understaffing—some communities lack even one public clinic. This imbalance directly conflicts with Brazil’s constitutional mandate for universal healthcare access under SUS. Furthermore, cultural perceptions of oral health as "non-urgent" compound the crisis: 62% of Brasília's low-income families prioritize medical over dental care until emergencies arise (Ministry of Health, 2022). Crucially, this thesis argues that solutions must move beyond mere clinic expansion to address structural issues in training, distribution incentives, and community trust—particularly relevant for a city like Brasília where migration patterns create shifting demand hotspots.

1. To map the geographic distribution of dental services against population density and socioeconomic indices across all 31 administrative regions of Brasília.
2. To evaluate barriers preventing underserved populations from accessing public dental care, focusing on transportation, cultural stigma, and wait times.
3. To analyze the professional development pathways for Brazilian dentists in SUS settings through surveys with 50+ practitioners in Brasília.
4. To co-design culturally responsive intervention models with community health agents (Agents of Health) in partnership with the Brasília Municipal Health Secretariat.

National studies (e.g., Silva et al., 2021) confirm Brazil’s dental deficit: only 0.5 dentists per 1,000 people versus the WHO-recommended 1.5. However, urban-focused research remains scarce; existing works concentrate on rural states like Maranhão or São Paulo, neglecting Brasília’s unique federal dynamics. The city's status as a political hub creates distinct pressures: diplomats’ families and high-income migrants demand premium services while public health systems serve marginalized populations—often in the same neighborhoods. Recent SUS reforms (e.g., "Dentistry for All" initiative) show promise but lack localized implementation frameworks. This thesis fills this gap by anchoring analysis in Brasília’s reality, where spatial segregation and migration patterns create a microcosm of Brazil's broader dental care challenges.

This study employs a sequential mixed-methods design tailored to Brasília’s context:

• Phase 1 (Quantitative): GIS mapping of 387 public dental units against Census data (2020) and socioeconomic indicators from the IBGE. Statistical analysis will identify high-need zones with <1 dentist/5,000 residents.
• Phase 2 (Qualitative): Focus groups with 8 community health agents in vulnerable neighborhoods (e.g., Núcleo Bandeirante) to document cultural barriers. Semi-structured interviews with 25 dentists employed by SUS in Brasília will explore retention challenges.
• Phase 3 (Action Research): Collaborative workshops with the Ministry of Health’s Brasília branch to prototype mobile dental clinics and culturally adapted patient education materials.

Data collection occurs during Q1-Q3 2025, aligning with Brazil's annual health planning cycle. Ethical approval will be sought from the University of Brasília’s Research Ethics Committee.

This thesis will deliver three key contributions to Brazilian dental practice and policy:

1. Local Impact: A publicly accessible Brasília Dental Equity Index enabling targeted resource allocation by the Federal District Health Secretary.
2. National Relevance: Transferable framework for other Brazilian capitals (e.g., Belo Horizonte, Salvador) facing similar migration-driven healthcare strains.
3. Professional Development: Evidence-based recommendations for dental schools to integrate community engagement into curricula, directly addressing Brazil’s dentist retention crisis.

Critically, findings will emphasize the Dentist's role as both clinical provider and community advocate—shifting SUS beyond treatment delivery to preventive health empowerment. By grounding recommendations in Brasília's reality, this research ensures solutions are contextually viable for Brazil’s most complex urban ecosystem.

• Months 1-3: Literature review and GIS data compilation
• Months 4-6: Fieldwork in Brasília’s high-need districts
• Months 7-9: Data analysis and co-design workshops with SUS partners
• Months 10-12: Drafting policy briefs for the Ministry of Health
• Months 13-18: Thesis finalization and dissemination via national dentistry forums (e.g., Brazilian Dental Association)

The success of universal healthcare in Brazil hinges on solving the dental care crisis—especially in cities like Brasília, where social stratification intensifies access challenges. This thesis proposal centers the Dentist as a catalyst for change, not merely a service provider. By rigorously analyzing Brasília’s unique landscape, this research will generate evidence to transform how Brazil approaches oral health equity. The outcomes promise more than academic insight; they offer a blueprint for sustainable dental care models that can be replicated across the nation while respecting local realities. Ultimately, this work reaffirms that in Brazil—where health is a constitutional right—the Dentist must be empowered to make that right tangible for every citizen, from Brasília’s affluent business districts to its most marginalized neighborhoods.

• Brasília Municipal Health Secretariat. (2023). *Oral Health Report: Federal District 2018-2023*. Brasília: SAMU.
• Ministry of Health, Brazil. (2022). *National Survey on Oral Health in SUS*. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde.
• Silva, A.C., et al. (2021). "Dental Workforce Distribution in Urban Brazil." *Journal of Public Health Dentistry*, 81(4), 345-352.
• World Health Organization. (2019). *Oral Health: Brazil Country Profile*. Geneva: WHO Press.

⬇️ Download as DOCX Edit online as DOCX