A decree from the Ministry of Health, published this Tuesday (18) in Official Journal of the Union (DOU), instituted Unified Health System (USH) primary care performance pay for teams providing oral health care across the country. Thus, municipalities and the Federal District will receive an additional payment every month based on the results obtained through the monitoring of 12 indicators, in addition to regular monthly funding. According to the ministry, this change will increase federal funding for oral health teams (eSB) by 1 billion reais in 2024 and 2024.

“It is an incentive to improve the offer of existing services and, above all, to recognize the good work carried out by oral health teams,” declares the general coordinator of oral health at the Ministry of Health, Doralice Severo Cruz. Pay for performance will be applied to the eSB of modalities I and II, of 40 hours per week, linked to the Family Health Strategy (ESF) teams and co-financed by the Ministry of Health. Modality I is the team made up of two professionals, a dental surgeon and an oral health assistant or technician. Modality II is made up of three officials, including a dental surgeon, as well as a technician and an assistant. The additional amount will amount to R$2,449 (modality 1) and R$3,267 (modality 2) per month per team.

The indicators relate to the delivery of various services, including the proportion of children and pregnant women attended, as well as the delivery of preventive procedures and dental repairs. The objectives and parameters of the indicators are being developed and will be published in a technical note from the Primary Health Care Secretariat.

in 2024, during the adaptation period, between July and August, a fixed amount of R$900 per month will be paid to municipalities and the FD to be used with oral health teams. From September to December, payment will be made based on the results of July and August, with a minimum amount of R$900 guaranteed to all teams. From January 2024, the values ​​will be calculated exclusively based on obtaining the results of the previous four months.

The Ministry of Health will also make a monitoring and evaluation panel available on the department portal and, until it is operational, the indicators will be considered fully achieved.