664. Dispatch number 12889/2015

Ordinance number 301/2009, dated March 24, regulates the operation of the National Program for the Promotion of Oral Health, regarding the provision of personalized oral health care, preventive and curative, provided by specialized professionals, providing, throughout Access to oral health care to various target groups. At this moment, children and young people under the age of 16, pregnant women in the National Health Service, beneficiaries of the solidarity supplement for the elderly and users infected with the HIV / AIDS virus benefit from this program. Through Order number 686/2014, dated January 6th, the said Program was extended, to include, also, the early intervention in oral cancer.

In this context, the third National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases revealed that in recent years there has been a marked reduction in the levels of disease among children and young people who have benefited from a long work of promoting and preventing oral and , On the other hand, an increase in the number and effectiveness of the treatments performed, which has resulted in an enormous improvement in the dental health situation of this target group.

It was noted, however, that children and young people with special needs do not always benefit from the National Oral Health Promotion Program, so the requirements that establish access to it are now defined.
It has also been found that users infected with the HIV / AIDS virus, for whom it is determined that they may use up to six checks - dentists may present new treatment needs and, in view of the increased risk of health problems In these users, additional cycles are now provided.

Therefore, pursuant to the provisions of articles 2, paragraph 2 and 3 of article 7 of Administrative Rule number 301/2009, of March 24, I determine:
1 - The National Program for the Promotion of Oral Health (PNPSO) is extended, to include:

a) 18 year olds who have been beneficiaries of the PNPSO and concluded the treatment plan at the age of 16;
b) users infected with the HIV / AIDS virus who have already been covered by PNPSO and have not been receiving treatment for more than 24 months;
c) Children and young people of 7, 10 and 13 years of age with special health needs, including those with mental illness, cerebral palsy, trisomy 21, among others, who have not yet been covered by PNPSO.

2 - The enlargement foreseen in the previous number is:a) 18-year-olds who have been beneficiaries of the PNPSO and completed the treatment plan at the age of 16, a dentist's check is awarded;b) Patients infected with the HIV / AIDS virus who have already been covered by the PNPSO and who have not been treated for more than 24 months, are allowed access to a cycle of treatments composed of up to two dentist's checks, which can be repeated Not less than 24 months;c) Children and young people of 7, 10 and 13 years of age with special health needs, such as those with mental illness, cerebral palsy, trisomy 21, among others, who have not yet been covered by PNPSO, and following screening promoted by the Health unit of the National Health Service:i) A check-dentist or referral for Oral Hygienist is awarded;ii) If the child or young person is not expected to collaborate in an oral health consultation, in particular because sedation may be necessary, referral by the family physician, through the Time and Hour Consultation, to the hospital stomatology services Of your area of ​​residence.

3 - This order shall take effect on March 1, 2016.
November 9, 2015. - The Minister of Health, Fernando Serra Leal da Costa

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