Treatment Plan in Dentistry: Analysis of the Plans Proposed by Undergraduate Students

Objective: To evaluate the ability last-year undergraduate dental students from the School of Dentistry of Aracatuba/UNESP in elaborating treatment plans for the same case. Method: For the present study, a case involving several specialties was selected. After clinical examination, the findings were recorded in the patient file used by the discipline of the Integrated Clinic. Photographs, periapical radiographs and photographs of study casts were included to allow an adequate illustration of the case. The full documentation was given to last-year undergraduate dental students. In the form of a curricular assessment, the students were asked to elaborate treatment plans and enumerate which factors were considered for planning. The same evaluation was performed in the beginning and end of the school year, during 2004 and 2005, with a sample of 200 individuals. Data were collected and submitted to descriptive statistics, including frequency distribution calculated using Epi Info software version 3.2. Results: The most commonly cited factors for elaboration of treatment plans were: socioeconomic status, patients' needs and expectations, systemic factors, hygiene and occlusion. Presentation of the plan by specialty was the choice of 90.61% of the students and over 78% of them elaborated more than one plan. Conclusion: The undergraduate dental students were able to elaborate different treatment plans for the same case, demonstrating capacity to offer different treatment options to the patient.