The ethical dimension of dentistry professionals' training was analyzed. Interviews with teachers, observations on academic activities and focus groups with students were conducted. Triangulation of the data enabled deeper knowledge of the reality, revealing hidden elements of the curriculum that influence ethical training, such as care, which was the focus of discussion in this paper. Some issues relating to this, like university hazing and the high costs of purchasing dental equipment, were taken to be analytical indicators of higher or lower ethical-pedagogical care developed by teachers and institutions. In discussing other ways in which care and lack of care become established, problems that imply a need for reflection on teachers' actions were also revealed. As well as interest and commitment, capacitation is required. The intention of these reflections is to instigate creation of strategies that optimize the situations experienced, so that they may become conditions for ethical teaching- learning.
Socialization; Higher education; Health professional education; Ethics