Teaching, research, extension: 60 years of FOA/UNESP public health

Abstract

Diverse pedagogical practices are necessary for a transformative education centered on the human condition, the development of understanding, cultural sensitivity and ethics, privileging the construction of knowledge of a transdisciplinary nature. The aim of this study was to verify the activities carried out by the Public Health area of the State University of São Paulo (Unesp), Faculty of Dentistry, Araçatuba - FOA / Unesp, from its foundation in 1957 until 2017, describing its teaching-learning experiences, extension activities, vocational training and social impact. It is a historical, descriptive research, of documentary analysis, whose consultation was carried out in the archives of the institution. The official texts, reports, photos, databases, official documents and bibliographic production were verified. Among the main programs and projects, the Rural Dental Service (SOR), a pioneering initiative in Brazil, started in the 1960s, which provided dental care to the rural population, in order to promote the social inclusion of neglected groups and to diversify the learning scenarios, integrating the university with the community. In the 1970s the SOR was expanded to the urban area (Urban Dental Service - SOU). Sanitary campaigns were also developed, such as the homemade filter and the construction of wells and septic tanks, to the rural area of the region. During the same period, public water supply fluoridation campaigns were carried out in municipalities in the northwest region of São Paulo. Also in the 1970s, the "Good Teeth Campaign", which consisted of lectures on oral health on the day of the "Dental Surgeon", which became the "Oral Health Education Program", public schools in the city of Araçatuba and municipalities in the region, carrying out health promotion and prevention activities, benefiting children from 0 to 6 years old. In the field of research, FOA / Unesp Public Health was a reference in the first study of dental fluorosis published in Brazil, developed in the municipality of Pereira Barreto. In the last 24 years, with the creation of the Postgraduate Program in Preventive and Social Dentistry of FOA / Unesp, there was a significant increase in training and research activities, with 83 masters degree and 60 doctors graduates in program and working in several Brazilian Universities, Institutes and Government Agencies. In the period between 1990 and 2017, several extension projects were carried out, highlighting the following topics: dental care for pregnant women, the elderly and schoolchildren; labor gymnastics; disposal of solid waste in health services; misfortunes that affect the health of dentists; violence; and fluoride surveillance in public supply waters in 40 municipalities in northwest São Paulo. It was also observed the presence of professional training and training of human resources in health through training, courses and lectures, with emphasis on the training of Community Agents, Family Health Program Teams and Health Counselors. of bibliographical material, such as training manuals for the Family Health Program, Health Counselor, Health Policies and Dentistry for Pregnant Women. It is concluded that, in the period, public health developed multiple successful programs, with positive impact, fomenting the professional qualification and integrating the University to the community.