Política pública nacional de salud bucodental del Paraguay 2009-2018.

Background: The National Public Policy of Oral Health "For the Right to Smile Back" was initiated within the framework of the health reform of 2008 directed towards a health system based on Primary Health Care. Purpose: To analyze the process of development and implementation of the National Public Policy of Oral Health of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare of Paraguay (MPHSW) 2009-2018. Policy analysis: The experience of Paraguay is exposed using the frame of reference proposed by the World Health Organization for the drafting of SBD policies. The dynamic process of formulating the policy is described, which includes: the context of the National Health System, the identification of the need, the intervention strategies implemented, the pillars that supported it, its evaluation, challenges and achievements. Conclusions: The establishment of the National Oral Health Public Policy of the MSPBS 2009-2018, managed to position the oral health in the public agenda of the country placing it in a privileged seat, never before achieved within the Institution. Its consolidation required a deep restructuring of the program, as well as the implementation of various lines of action, whose evaluations allowed to visualize a strengthening in the provision of services and a positive impact on the oral health of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]