INTRODUCTION: Internships extramural seek the integration of the theoretical with the practical experience as a way of learning, allowing students to learn about the organization, planning and management of health services in the region. OBJECTIVE: Investigate, from the perspective of Dental students Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), the influence that the extramural activities of the Labor Education Program for Health (Health-PET) had in their academic exercise. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive exploratory study. The research subjects were all UFES Dental students members and former members of PET-Health. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and self-applied. In quantitative data analysis, it was used Epi Info 3.5.1 program. In the analysis of open answers, it was used Bardin's technique to analyze the categories. RESULT: Of the 33 trainees and former trainees, 25 participated in the study. Of these, 23 said between good and excellent degree of contribution of PET-Health in their academic training. Among the contributions, it was reported the chance to learn SUS experience; SUS operation; family health strategy; community reality; integration; multi professional learning and chance to perform dental clinical procedures not performed before in Dental School. CONCLUSION: Dental students share the thought that the program offered more humanistic health training, including comprehensive, critical and reflective posture, as recommended by the Brazilian Dental curricular guidelines.
Education dental; unified health system; students dental