Resumo

GONCALVES, Caroline Marinho; SANTOS, Karina Tonini dos  e  CARVALHO, Raquel Baroni de. "PET-Saúde" as an instrument to provide dentistry teaching with new guidelines: the experience of the Federal University of Espírito Santo. Rev. ABENO [online]. 2011, vol.11, n.2, pp. 27-33. ISSN 1679-5954.

The National Curricular Guidelines and the consolidation of the Unified Health System (SUS) have led higher education health institutions in Brazil to restructure their curriculum with the objective of preparing professionals not only technically but also to meet Brazil's social, economic, political and cultural challenges. The aim of the present study was to discuss the process of providing health/dentistry teaching with new guidelines, by reporting an experience gained in the "Programa de Educação pelo Trabalho para a Saúde - PET-Saúde" (Education Program through Health Work), launched at Ufes in 2010. "PET-Saúde" was created by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Ministry of Education and gives students the opportunity of experiencing the multidisciplinary work conducted in Health Centers. The extramural activities give students broader knowledge of how public health services are structured, hands-on experience in treating the population, and a better understanding of the health/oral health policies, of the role of the dentist in public services, and of the social context in which the student will eventually be involved. "PETSaúde" also encourages reflection through the exchange of approaches and experiences between the real-world practice experienced by professionals and the knowledge brought by students from the academic world. In conclusion, in order for SUS to be put into place effectively, students of health courses need broader preparation and training in wide-ranging environments, and not only the experience of traditional practice offered by clinics teaching specialties, but also innovative experiences and collective activities.

Palavras-chave : Education; higher; Education, dental; Curriculum; Clinical clerkship.