Author:

• Simone de Melo Costa - Costa, S.M. - MONTES CLAROS - UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE MONTES CLAROS - UNIMONTES - <smelocosta@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9990-9083

Thematic Area:

Não Categorizado

Abstract:

The aim was to analyze the perceptions of dental students from the State University of Montes Claros, Brazil, regarding dentistry, the job market and the public healthcare system. For this, a triangulation method was employed, using a self-administered questionnaire and interviews. The quantitative data were submitted to univariate and multivariate analyses, using Poisson regression. Content analysis was used for the qualitative data. The majority reported expecting to obtain work in the public healthcare system; stated that the dental course prepares students for this market, as the curriculum integrates both teaching and service; reported being in favour of more experience in the public healthcare system; and said they would not take classes on Collective/Public Health if they were optional. Socio-demographic variables were independently associated with students’ perceptions. Contact with the social context through teaching/service integration in the advanced semesters of the dental course appears to contribute to the development of new professional skills for working in the public sector. However, the students’ perceptions revealed contradictions, considering the low value they attributed to the classes on Collective/Public Health and their perception of the public system as a residual job option.
Key Words: Public Health Service, Dental Students, Perception

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