Extramural activities in the view of graduate students of Dentistry Graduation Course

Resumen

The participation of students’ health area in extramural activities makes possible the knowledge and performance in the structural dimension of public health services. It is part of the graduation curriculum guidelines of dentistry graduation courses and of law n.8080 recommendations that regulates the National Health Service (SUS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the Extramural Dental Service (SEMO) and its corresponding activities, under graduate students’ point of view of FOA-UNESP. A cross-sectional study was carried out, with a quali-quantitative approach. A questionnaire was sent by mail approaching several aspects related to the SEMO, for 76 former students graduated in 2003. The data were submitted to the quantitative analysis though the software Epi Info. For the interpretation of the open questions, it was used the model Analysis of Content. Of the total, 47% returned answered, and 100% of those affirmed the participation in the SEMO was satisfactory. Several factors were related to the SEMO contribution in the professional formation, like the knowledge of the reality and social context (21.2%), the capacity of adaptation of available resources (18.2%) and the contact with the reality (15.2%). Through the Association of Words Technique, categories as “Importance of SEMO” (100%), “social reality” (53.1%) and “teaching” (40.6%) were identified. Among some difficulties cited, it was listed the deficiency in the infrastructure (63.6%). The objectives proposed by the SEMO were fully and reasonably reached for 36.4% and 63.6% of the graduated students, respectively. The graduated students evaluated the SEMO as a valid experience, contributing in their qualification to act with efficiency and resolution capacity in the National Health Service.