Perception of UFRGS dentistry students of the area of dental care for patients with special needs

The aim of this research was to evaluate the perception of the students of the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (FO-UFRGS), who took the elective subject of Dental Care for Patients with Special Needs (PSN) in relation to said course. A longitudinal, observational and analytical study was carried out, in which a questionnaire with 20 open and closed questions was applied to 64 students of 9th and 10th semester, who had taken this subject. A total of 98.4% (n = 63) of the students felt moved and learnt a life lesson with the patients; 86% (n = 55) identified with dental care to PSN; 67.2% (n = 43) showed no interest in specializing in the area; however, 76.6% (n = 49) said they were prepared to work with PSN; 98.4% (n = 63) would recommend this area to their peers; 100% (n = 64) considered that what they learned was important for their academic training as dental surgeons and that this discipline should be obligatory in the course curriculum. The students surveyed believe this area is important for their training and should be considered obligatory; it has allowed them to see a new reality and demystify their fears and preconceptions. In addition, it has made them more qualified professionals with greater empathy to serve this population.