THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DENTIST IN THE HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This article sought to review the literature on the importance of dentists in the hospital environment to generate knowledge and practical information for the appreciation of dental students and dentists in general. To achieve the proposed goal, a literature review was performed in a database with the appropriate descriptors. The results show that the inclusion of dentists in the hospital team contributes to an interdisciplinary approach, improves patients' quality of life, and can reduce hospital stays and hospital costs by avoiding complications related to oral health. In addition, it promotes a comprehensive view of care, where oral health is seen as an inseparable part of general health. It is concluded that dentists are an essential member of the hospital team, capable of acting preventively and curatively, benefiting patients at different stages of treatment and with varied health conditions.