Hospital Dentistry: a proposal of new discipline

ABSTRACT

Introduction :The implementation of educational and preventive oral health procedures in a hospital is fundamental for undergraduates, both for the opportunity of interaction with other health professionals and for the individual and collective growth. This promotes the student's human and professional formation because it enables the patient's oral health care within a complete treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the educational practices (teaching, research, extension and service) in the Hospital Dentistry Course of the School of Dentistry, University of Cuiabá. This first experience led to curriculum change and the creation of a new discipline: Hospital Dentistry. Development:The procedures of tertiary oral health experienced by Dentistry teachers and undergraduates provided the material of this study. The methodological procedures of this new discipline insertion comprised technical-administrative and academic actions aiming to establish a new curriculum in Dentistry Course. For this purpose, actions of exchange and dialogue between the School of Dentistry and the University Hospital managers were executed. The strategy resulted in the insertion of Dentistry undergraduates within this new area of educational practice, involving qualified individuals to organize the discipline. Also, the recognition of other health area professionals was achieved, who realized the importance of dental knowledge in tertiary treatment as a necessary component to avoid complications to the patients, once dental problems affect the patient's quality of life and imminent risk of death.