Abstract

JESUS, Leda Freitas de  and  CAMARA, Volney de Magalhães. A Formative and Integrating Curricular Template in Dentistry: an Analysis of Teaching Biosafety. Avaliação (Campinas) [online]. 2021, vol.26, n.3, pp.900-920. ISSN 1982-5765.  https://doi.org/10.1590/s1414-40772021000300014.

Biosafety measures for prevention and protection against occupational risks in Dentistry are learned during the graduation period. The importance of such measures has become even more clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a transversal, exploratory, descriptive research with the purpose of analyzing the topic of biosafety as part of the Brazilian Dental Schools’ curriculum. The population study was composed of individuals who work as coordinators of 68 Dentistry undergraduate programs. All the data was collected through an online questionnaire between November 2019 and February 2020. The results were analyzed through descriptive and aggregate methods. There were specific, mandatory courses on Biosafety in 43 of the 68 programs, 5 of them being theoretical while 38 were theoretical-practical courses. The respondents mainly listed the following reasons for the existence of a specific course: the relevance for professional education/practice, the establishment of best practices, and the presentation of concepts/norms. We found that the main reason for the lack of a specific course was the adoption of an integrated/interdisciplinary program. The curricular content is more comprehensive in the programs that offer specific courses on biosafety, with the most predominant topics in both types of courses being related to infection prevention and control. Among the listed bibliographic references, Brazilian governmental institutions’ textbooks and manuscripts prevailed, and most programs informed that these references are frequently revised. We identified 28 different course names, which are mostly offered at the beginning of the program and as prerequisites for other courses. We consider it ideal to include a mandatory specific course on biosafety to be taken during the Dentistry undergraduate programs, as well as to reinforce the topic throughout the program, mainly in the practical courses. We also suggest some topics on biosafety to be included in the curricular content.

Keywords : Curriculum; Education; Dental; Dentists.

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