Situation and perspectives of research conducted in Colombian dental schools: a reflection

• Published in: Acta odontológica colombiana 2019-01, Vol.9 (1), p.93
• Main Author: Paula Alejandra Baldión Elorza
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Dentistry
• ISSN: 2027-7822; 2027-7822
• DOI: 10.15446/aoc.v9n1.75903

This paper pretends to present an analysis of the current state of dental research as a reflection about the evaluation of studies submitted to the XXIX Meeting of the Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Odontologia (ACFO) 2018. Although there is pedagogical efforts of the Universities, toward the promotion of the research, it is necessary to recognize the main problems in the research proposed by the Dentistry schools, with the purpose of contributing to the scientific, social and economic progress of our country. These problems fall into five areas: relevance, impact, innovation, methodology and communication. The analysis is based on the commitment of the profession with the academic community, to preserve the progressive character of Dentistry as a scientific discipline. Also, known that research is a tool to respond to the population needs through sustained work capable to give well in a tangible way. One of the fundamental axes for the approach to the development of research is relevance, which can be better understood in accordance with two concepts related to it: innovation and impact. For this reason, there is a need to frame the research in the formulation of initiatives that, while revealing an appropriate appropriation of the previous scientific findings, outline guidelines for the formulation of science and technology policies for the control or resolution of problems concerning the population oral health.