[The experience in dental education of Cayetano Heredia University of Peru].

This article describes the educational experience gained in the dentistry program of Cayetano Heredia University in Peru. The programs for professional and auxiliary personnel training were drawn up after analyzing the health needs of the population and the services required to meet them, which resulted in the elaboration of an original methodology and taxonomy. Learning is an integral experience, one that takes place in the dental clinic, the hospital, and the community. The curriculum includes the following components: units for the intensive learning of clinical functions, fewer preclinical activities, clinical training with the ongoing assistance of auxiliary staff, extended interaction with marginal urban communities, rural internships, and hospital externships. A summary account is given of the gains made, the difficulties encountered, and plans for devising in-service teaching approaches that more effectively meet the needs of the community.