Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine a Necessary Dialogue to Expand the Possibilities of Action

Abstract

Dentistry holds a prominent place among the specializations of veterinary medicine. However, regarding the dentofacial study of animals, it is clear that knowledge is limited whitin the curriculum offered to graduate students in the area. From information provided by the Ministry of Education (e.mec), there are 264 universities and public schools in Brazil, but only 48 provide the course of Veterinary. Of these, only 8.33% offer the discipline of veterinary dentistry, as an optional course, and none of them offers the subject as a compulsory part of the training. Besides that, in accordance with current legislation, there is a performance constraint preventing and rehabilitating treatment of animals, allowing only veterinarians to exercise this specialty. In spite of that, in most cases, these professionals do not have the access to that instruction during the graduation. Given this reality, it is relevant to propose a debate on the importance of improving integration between Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry department, signaling pathways for the formation of multidisciplinary professionals, allowing to expand the possibilities for action and strengthening the dialogue between areas; aimed at improving the quality of care.