Education or Service? The University and the Dentistry Course in the network of mouth health care

Abstract

The structure of mouth health care in the network of health care in the domain of Unified Health System is in the consolidationphase of the process. In this context, this work aimed to analyze the contribution of the University, in special of the Dentistry Course,in the construction of the network of mouth health care. This is an exploratory, qualitative study that followed a base theoretical--methodological approach of the Data Oriented Theory. Data collection was carried through by means of interviews with 15 people,graduated in dentistry, in the roles of instructors, workers and managers of SUS (Unified Health System). The work aims to analyzethe insertion of the institution by means of two dimensions: rendering of dentistry services and education oriented to training in theundergraduate and graduate levels. Two categories had emerged: the regionalization process: the participation of the university inimplementing the structure of the services of mouth health and inserting the university and the dentistry course in the network ofmouth care health: education. The participation of the University and the Dentistry Course of the network of health care, especiallyin the sub-net of mouth health, is recognized and materialized both by proposing actions and offering services in the field of mouthhealth and by training professionals. The full integration of these roles in the perspective of SUS consolidation under the Network ofHealth Care remains as a challenge.