Odontologia Hospitalar e sua importância no contexto atual da saúde: conhecimento dos universitários de cursos de saúde da UFJF-MG

Abstract

Hospital Dentistry (HD) has become established as a strategic field for promoting comprehensive healthcare, contributing to the prevention of systemic complications, the control of hospital infections, and the support of clinical recovery among hospitalized patients. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of undergraduate students enrolled in Dentistry, Nursing, and Medicine programs at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF) regarding HD about the current Brazilian healthcare context. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted involving 860 students from that three academic programs. Data were collected through a self-applied questionnaire and subjected to descriptive analysis for categorical variables. Associations between variables were assessed using the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients, adopting a significance level of 5%. The results demonstrated broad recognition of the importance of dentists involvement in the hospital environment, as well as awareness of the relationship between oral health and systemic health. Most participants acknowledged the contribution of dental care to improving the clinical condition of hospitalized patients, reducing the time of hospital stays, and preventing complications associated with oral hygiene. The findings also highlighted the value attributed to multidisciplinary collaboration and the integration of dentists into healthcare teams. Most students reported either the absence of HD content in their undergraduate curricula or only a fragmented approach to the subject. Academic progression was associated with increased perceived knowledge of the field, greater understanding of its clinical applications, and enhanced self-perceived preparedness for multidisciplinary practice. No significant differences were observed among academic programs or stages of training regarding historical aspects and legislation related to HD. It can be concluded that future healthcare professionals recognize the importance of HD, however, its integration into undergraduate education remains insufficient. These findings underscore the need to strengthen HD within health curricula and to promote educational strategies that foster multidisciplinary training focused on comprehensive patient care.