Maxillofacial prosthesis in higher education in Dentistry: curricular perspectives

Abstract

Introduction: The lack of contact of students with Maxillofacial Prosthesis (PBMF) during graduation can be an aggravating factor for the lack of interest in the area. The objective of the present study is to present an overview of PBMF discipline in the pedagogical projects of Dentistry courses in the Southeast Region of Brazil. Methods: Exploratory, quantitative and cross-sectional study. The curricula available on the official websites of higher education institutions (HEIs) registered in the e-MEC portal of the Ministry of Education were analyzed. Information on the variables was sought: administrative category of the HEI, insertion and provision of the discipline, nature of the curricular component, teaching method, average workload and curricular training of the subject coordinator. Data were analyzed and tabulated using GraphPad Prism 8.1.2 software. Results: The results of this research reflect the analysis of the 144 HEI curriculum. Only 8 HEIs (5.55%) offer the discipline of MFP. Most (62.5%) in public universities, compulsorily (66.6%), with theoretical content, laboratory practice and clinical practice (44.4%) and average workload of 54.56h. Conclusions: The implementation of the curricular component is quite reduced and more prevalent in public universities. Thus, it is suggested to update the curricula of the Dentistry course in southeastern Brazil.