AMARAL, Cristhiane Olivia Ferreira et al. Evaluation of expectations and feelings of students in dentistry to care for patients with special needs. RFO UPF []. 2011, 16, 2, pp. 124-129. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate what students feel when assisting dental patients with special needs, to know these graduates' behavior before these situations and see what can be done in order to minimize the negative situations in patient care. Methods: For the accomplishment of this research, a structured questionnaire specifically addressed to 100 graduates chosen from the 3rd to the 8th term of the Dentistry Faculty of Unoeste, who had already been in contact with patients with special needs. The students did not have to identify themselves in the form. Results: The most common negative feelings among the students were: insecurity (29%) and difficulty in meeting the patient (25%), and the positive ones were the need for taking care of the patients with love (31%) and responsibility (30%). The most frequent adverse behavioral reactions were fear (36%) and sadness (25%) and the favorable reactions were affection (25%) and protection (25%). For 54% of the students, seeing these patients is a calling, 70% of students are unsure or would never do this specialty. Conclusion: The feelings of these students showed ambivalent. In order to minimize the negative situations in the care of patients with special needs, it is advisable that there are, besides discipline, multidisciplinary stages of experience and action. Students should share their emotions, since the development of feelings guide attitudes, actions and reactions, leading to a greater gain of confidence towards the care of these patients.

: Emotions.; Dentistry students.; People with special needs..