Importance of occupational dentistry for companies--a literature review/ A importancia da odontologia do trabalho para as empresas-- revisao de literatura

Due attention has not been given yet to workers' health problems arising from oral diseases and to the impacts of not having an appropriate professional, i.e., dental surgeon, as part of the specialized service team of large companies, even acknowledging that the participation of these professionals is positive for improving workers' quality of life and the productive performance of the company. Based on these premises, and through a literature review conducted from a search on the electronic portal of Brazilian Dentistry Bibliography, SciELO, and MEDLINE databases, the present study aimed to demonstrate factors that justify the integration of dental surgeons in occupational health programs of companies. The following advantages were mentioned: reduction in absenteeism and in the number of work accidents, productivity growth, and improvement in company image and in employees' quality of life. In conclusion, the occupational health care model cannot be dissociated from oral health, considering the significant benefits both for employees and for companies themselves.