Lei n.o 11.889/2008: avan？o ou retrocesso nas competências do técnico em saúde bucal?

this study aimed to analyze the skills that have been attributed to oral health technicians (tsb) in brazil since the enactment of act 11,889/08, including the terms set forth for their supervision. documentary analysis was performed comparing the skills set out in mentioned instrument with those called for in legal opinion no. 460/75, issued by the federal council of education, and under federal council of dentistry resolution no. 63/2005. thematic analysis techniques were employed considering the skills in terms of direct and indirect actions distributed in four ability areas: health planning and administration, health promotion, disease prevention, and individual care. although the powers approved under the act have been distributed to a smaller amount of items, compared to the two other documents, from the qualitative point of view, the results of the analysis showed that considerable progress was made with the regulation of the profession, under the approved terms, in all areas of competence. there was a positive impact on the health work process, both regarding inter-professional cooperation and insofar as the supervision of technical activities is concerned. this represents an important victory for those who work in the area and a significant contribution to driving the enhancement of access to dental services