The oral health policy in a municipality of Bahia: the agents of state bureaucracy

ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize Oral Health Coordinators (OHC) involved in the implantation of the Brazilian Oral Health Policy (BOHP) in a municipality of Bahia, exemplary case, between 1997-2015. A qualitative approach case study was carried out, based on the Bourdieu theoretical, through in-depth interviews with six OHC, with an average of 45 years of age. Their professional trajectories were analyzed from the following categories: social origin, professional training, professional trajectory and insertion, and trajectory in the bureaucratic field. The majority of them graduated from public institutions and presented an upward trajectory in the bureaucratic field. The insertion in management was influenced by dispositions, network relations, and professional performance in Family Health Strategy (FHS). Professional qualification seems to be a differentiating aspect. Post-graduation in public health represented a greater possibility of insertion in the FHS. The management team maintained clinical practice. The support of municipal management and health was highlighted by almost all interviewees. The BOHP contributed to the expansion of the oral health network, however, the main propositions were implanted previously. The importance of management in the BOHP implementation is evident and it is recommended to carry out similar analysis of other cases to identify regularities that contribute to the explanation of the different degrees of BOHP implementation.