Differentiated Training in Dentistry for the Care of the Homeless Population: The Students' Perspective

Abstract

Objective: Health education aimed at reducing inequities requires pedagogical strategies that take into account the
social determinants of health and the needs of populations in vulnerable situations. This study aimed to analyze the
impacts of a differentiated training in Dentistry focused on the care of people experiencing homelessness, based
on the perceptions of students participating in a university extension project. Method: This is a qualitative study
conducted in 2022 at a private higher education institution in the interior of the state of São Paulo, in partnership with the POP Center, the Municipal Health Department, and the Street Outreach Clinic team. Four undergraduate Dentistry students participated, responding to open-ended questionnaires and taking part in semi-structured interviews, with data analyzed using Bardin’s Content Analysis. The activities included health education actions, health promotion, harm reduction, and clinical care provided in both outpatient and non-outpatient settings. Results: The results revealed four analytical categories: interest in participating in the project, lived practice, learning outcomes, and implications for future professional practice. The experience enabled an expanded understanding of oral health inequities, the development of technical and relational skills, the deconstruction of prejudices, and the strengthening of values such as empathy, welcoming, and social comitment. Conclusion: It is concluded that the curricular integration of university extension activities is a powerful strategy for critical, humanistic education aligned with the principles of the Brazilian Unified Health System, contributing to increased access and equity in oral health care for people experiencing homelessness.