Relações e conflitos no âmbito da saúde suplementar: análise a partir das operadoras de planos odontológicos

This study of a qualitative approach aimed to understand the relationships and conflicts between dental insurance companies, beneficiaries, and providers, as well as the interface with the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) and the Unified Health System (SUS). Data was collected through questionnaires applied to representatives of selected companies, documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews. The analysis through data triangulation enabled to observe as main results: cost control mechanisms guides the companies' activities and also perpetrate the relations with beneficiaries, providers and the ANS; there is a poor relation with the SUS; the companies tend to avoid the extending of dental insurance coverage; and the dental insurance market comes with huge concentration. We cannot ignore the strength of the dental health insurance sector in Brazil, but it is necessary to critically discuss the role of the State, both as regulating the private insurance sector as encouraging a dental care approach with improved quality and resolutivity.