Abstract
Objective: To identify the approaches used about social control in the health area in scientific productions carried out by Brazilian stricto sensu graduate programs. Methods: Documentary study of qualitative approach conducted in September 2018, with 23 publications from the catalogue of theses and dissertations of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel. The data were analyzed with the aid of the IRAMUTEQ software. Results: Social control was presented under different aspects, as a direct relationship between social control and health councils, between society and the Unified Health System, and this favored several positive impacts, such as the power of society in the face of decision-making for the execution of Public Policies and also the strengthening and fulfillment of the political democracy of the Brazilian health system. Conclusion: The relevance of this strategy is emphasized by ensuring that the population can participate, even if it is not effectively, in the process of formulating and controlling public health policies.