Importance of university extension in the professional training of dental surgeons

Abstract

Universities have transformed over time. The main focus of teaching started to expand with research and extension activities. Extension courses have been increasingly introduced in higher education institutions, participating in the triad that sustains university education. This literature review aimed to show the importance of university extension in the professional training of dental surgeons and society. The strategy for searching articles was based on keywords related to dentistry and university extension, in electronic databases, from August to October 2019. In different communities, the practice of extension strengthens the understanding of students about the health-disease process and allows knowing the economic and social realities of different scenarios, experiencing the public health care network, and participating in the provision of services to the population, which makes students more humanized and able to promote health to their communities. University extension plays an important role in the professional training of dental surgeons, helping them to work competently assisting in the diverse needs of the population, stimulating health promotion and information to the general population who also benefits from these activities, and strengthening the commitment of the university to society.