Autonomia ou assalariamento precário? O trabalho dos cirurgiões-dentistas na cidade de Salvador

Abstract

Tradicionalmente reconhecidos como profissionais liberais, os dentistas têm experimentado um crescente processo de assalariamento nas três últimas décadas. Todavia, tal fenômeno ocorre em um contexto no qual o regime de acumulação flexível promove formas precárias de trabalho. Assim, o processo de precarização social do trabalho dos dentistas apresenta determinadas similitudes ao que ocorre com os demais tipos de trabalhadores, mas também especificidades que merecem ser analisadas. Este estudo aborda as principais transformações que têm ocorrido na condição de trabalho e inserção profissional dos dentistas. Procurou-se entender de que forma o contexto mais geral de precarização social do trabalho afeta os dentistas que atuam em Salvador, Bahia; apontar as singularidades das condições de trabalho dos recém-formados e compreender a maneira pela qual os dentistas percebem as mudanças em seu mercado de trabalho. Foi realizada pesquisa documental (imprensa online, portais de entidades odontológicas, blogs, comunidades virtuais), levantamento de dados quantitativos secundários e entrevistas com 14 dentistas com distintas inserções no mercado de trabalho de Salvador. Considera-se que está em curso uma complexificação do mercado de trabalho do dentista, com a permanência da prática liberal, mas a diminuição de sua importância relativa. O aprofundamento do assalariamento do dentista não significa o desaparecimento da prática autônoma. As transformações do mercado de trabalho do dentista se explicam a partir da formação de dois polos: o assalariado (ainda que disfarçado) e o empresariado – mais robusto, profissionalizado e financeirizado. Concomitante a este processo, a expansão do número de postos de trabalho no setor público contribuiu para suavizar as tensões advindas da grande proporção de profissionais. O discurso dos dentistas revela uma tensão entre a ideologia da profissão liberal e o desejo de uma condição assalariada menos precária, este último mais visível entre os jovens dentistas. A tradição liberal facilita a naturalização do assalariamento precário, pois a ideologia do empreendedorismo joga para cada trabalhador a responsabilidade por seu sucesso e bem-estar individual. Se podemos perceber uma inserção do dentista no mercado de forma mais desprotegida, por outro lado, há alguns indícios tênues de crescimento da organização coletiva. Traditionally recognized as independent professionals, dentists have experienced a growing process of formal wages in the past three decades. However, such a phenomenon occurs in a context in which the flexible accumulation regime promotes precarious forms of work. Thus, the process of social precariousness of the dentist’s work exposes not only certain similarities that occur with other types of workers but also specific matters that deserve to be analyzed. This study discusses the major transformations that have occurred in the dentist’s working condition and participation in the labor market. It was tried to understand how the broader context of social precariousness of work affects the dentists who work in Salvador, Bahia (Brazil); to appoint the peculiarities of working conditions of the new college graduates and to understand the way in which these dentists notice changes in the labor market. Documentary search was conducted (by using press on line, sites of odontological entities, blogs, virtual communities); there was a survey of secondary quantitative data and interviews with 14 dentists with distinct participation in the labor market of Salvador. It’s considered that the dentists’ labor market has become more complex. The independent practice remains, however, it loses its importance. The deepening of the dentist’s formal wages doesn’t mean disappearance of autonomous practice. The dentist’s labor market transformations are explained from the formation of two poles: the employee (even if simulated) and entrepreneurship (more robust, professional and pecuniary). Concomitant to this process, the expansion of the number of jobs in the public sector contributed to sooth the tension stemming from the high proportion of professionals. The dentist’s speech reveals tension between the ideology of independent profession and the desire of a less precarious condition of salary, the latter being more visible among young dentists. The independent tradition makes naturalization of formal wages precarious because the ideology of entrepreneurship turns over to each worker the responsibility for his/ her success and individual well-being. If it’s possible to notice a participation of the dentist in the labor market in a more unprotected way, on the other hand, there is a small evidence of the collective organization growth.

Traditionally recognized as independent professionals, dentists have experienced a growing process of formal wages in the past three decades. However, such a phenomenon occurs in a context in which the flexible accumulation regime promotes precarious forms of work. Thus, the process of social precariousness of the dentist’s work exposes not only certain similarities that occur with other types of workers but also specific matters that deserve to be analyzed. This study discusses the major transformations that have occurred in the dentist’s working condition and participation in the labor market. It was tried to understand how the broader context of social precariousness of work affects the dentists who work in Salvador, Bahia (Brazil); to appoint the peculiarities of working conditions of the new college graduates and to understand the way in which these dentists notice changes in the labor market. Documentary search was conducted (by using press on line, sites of odontological entities, blogs, virtual communities); there was a survey of secondary quantitative data and interviews with 14 dentists with distinct participation in the labor market of Salvador. It’s considered that the dentists’ labor market has become more complex. The independent practice remains, however, it loses its importance. The deepening of the dentist’s formal wages doesn’t mean disappearance of autonomous practice. The dentist’s labor market transformations are explained from the formation of two poles: the employee (even if simulated) and entrepreneurship (more robust, professional and pecuniary). Concomitant to this process, the expansion of the number of jobs in the public sector contributed to sooth the tension stemming from the high proportion of professionals. The dentist’s speech reveals tension between the ideology of independent profession and the desire of a less precarious condition of salary, the latter being more visible among young dentists. The independent tradition makes naturalization of formal wages precarious because the ideology of entrepreneurship turns over to each worker the responsibility for his/ her success and individual well-being. If it’s possible to notice a participation of the dentist in the labor market in a more unprotected way, on the other hand, there is a small evidence of the collective organization growth. Keyword: employment precariousness; salaried employment; dentist.