The aim of this study was to understand the perception of dental school students at a public Brazilian institution about their practical insertion in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), especially within the strategies of the Family Health System (FHS). Furthermore, the study gathered their impressions on how this experience contributed to their academic education. This was an analytical qualitative study conducted with focus groups of dental school students, using semi-structured scripts. Furthermore, the portfolios produced by the participants were submitted to content analysis. Based on the perspective of the graduating students, who sometimes took on leading roles and at others supporting roles, important elements were presented to strengthen SUS and simultaneously their own education, within the standard of integrating teaching/service/community. The students perceived the FHS territory as a living and powerful context for learning that brought them closer to health services and their users.
Brazilian National Health System; Primary health care; Dental education; Learning