Percepções de estudantes de Odontologia sobre a experiência em um estágio não obrigatório no SUS / Perceptions of Dental students regarding their experiences in a non-mandatory internship in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS)
This study aimed to analyze the perceptions of Dental undergraduate students about the experience in a non-mandatory internship in the Brazilian Public Health System, in a municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, and its contribution to professional education. We performed a descriptive study in a qualitative approach with undergraduate students of a public university, from 2013 to 2015. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were organized and analyzed using Content Analysistechnique in the thematic perspective with the theoretical support of the National Curriculum Guidelines for DentistryCourse (Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais). The undergraduate students perceived the internship as an opportunity to experience the work reality in health services, developed and improved skills and competencies like communication, management and organization of their work, and construction of their professional identity. In conclusion, the students came closer to the concepts of health care, humanization, autonomy and learning at work, experiences that emerged as significant for them (AU).