Perception of students and dentistry professionals concerning the importance of theorical-pratice extension program of pediatric dentistry

The objective of the present study was to evaluate students from extension program in pediatric dentistry, regarding the concepts of theorical-practice knowledge and expectatives in management of infantile patient. Were interviewed 21 students from Extension program in pediatric dentistry of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. All they were graduated or graduating students of last year of Public or privatives Universities of Rio de Janeiro. Among responders, 67% were aged between 21 and 25 years old and 57.1% were not graduated. Felt insufficiencies in clinic pratice 75% of responders, and 25% in theorical knowledge, 57.1% do not felt able to manage children. The aged from 9 to 12 years old bring them more secure during infantile management. Among the deficiencies recognized in theorical-pratice knowledge, there are: preventive orthodonty (100%), management of infantile patient (81%), diagnostic execution (61.9%), drug prescription (66.7%) and pulp therapy (43,2%). At the end of extension program, 100% of interviewed related improvement in clinical practice and ability to infantile management. It concluded that exists a necessity of theorical-pratice support that contribute with formation of more qualified professionals and trusty during infantile management