INTRODUÇÃO: Considerada uma profissão relativamente nova, a Odontologia vem passando por diversas transformações nas últimas décadas, referentes às crenças e concepções da sociedade acerca da profissão, à formação dos recursos humanos e ao perfil dos profissionais, bem como às tendências do mercado de trabalho. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste artigo é discutir aspectos relacionados ao mercado de trabalho em Odontologia. METODOLOGIA: Foi realizada revisão crítica da literatura, sendo selecionados artigos que versassem sobre aspectos conceituais do mercado de trabalho e do ensino odontológicos. RESULTADO: O conhecimento dos marcos históricos da profissão e das relações estabelecidas entre a categoria e a sociedade subsidiou as discussões sobre a situação atual e as tendências futuras da profissão. CONCLUSÃO: O cenário exposto indica que o sistema liberal de atenção em Odontologia está em crise; entretanto, com a superação dos paradigmas ultrapassados, relacionados à atuação profissional e ao direcionamento do ensino, é factível a sustentabilidade e a valorização da profissão.

INTRODUCTION: Considered as a relatively new profession, dentistry has undergone several transformations in the last decades, including the society's beliefs and conceptions about the profession; the training of human resources and the professional's profile; as well as the job market tendency. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to discuss aspects related to the job market in Dentistry. METHODOLOGY: A critical view of the literature was conducted, being selected articles that talk about conceptual aspects of the labor market and dental education. RESULT: The above scenario indicates that the liberal system of care in dentistry is in crisis, however, to overcome the outdated paradigms, related to professional education and guidance is feasible sustainability and appreciation of the profession.

Dentists' incorrect behavior with regards to Oral Radiology, as reported in the literature, has been related to inadequate training of undergraduates. AIM: This study assessed dental undergraduates' knowledge of Oral Radiology. METHODS: A questionnaire containing 30 questions pertaining to three domains - General Principles, Radiobiology/Radioprotection and Technique/Interpretation - was used as data collection instrument. A total of 195 students answered the questionnaires. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between second-, third- and fourth-year students (p>0.05) when the whole questionnaire and the General Principles domain (p>0.05) were considered. The Technique/Interpretation domain presented a borderline statistical significance level (p=0.051), with more correct answers attributed to second-year students. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was seen for the Radiobiology/Radioprotection domain, in which the fourth-year students performed better. CONCLUSIONS: Dental undergraduates' knowledge of Oral Radiology did not increase or decrease significantly comparing the undergraduate years. However, with the exception of the Technique/Interpretation domain, students of more advanced undergraduate years answered more correctly the questions. Nevertheless, the Technique/Interpretation domain should be reinforced throughout the undergraduate course.