This study aims to evaluate the integration of dentistry courses with the public health services network. The collected data were used with a qualitative methodology in a case study in which 15 courses participated, and were articulated to a theoretical framework for the analysis of changes in the undergraduate courses. According to this framework, the actual 'teachingservice' integration is conceived as 'teaching, management, care and social control'. The results indicate imprecision regarding this theme, associations with the healthcare system that cannot be characterized as effective integration, and the practically nonexistent integration of teaching-care-management-social control, or at best, a process which is incipient and under construction, with gaps. Thus, it can be concluded that, overall, Brazilian dentistry courses need to improve in terms of the alliances and strategic actions based on permanent health education, so that the new curricular changes can effectively cooperate with the SUS (Brazil's National Health System).
Teaching-care integration services; Higher education; Teaching; Dentistry courses; Dental staff
