title: Social representat ions of dental treatment in a group of environmental health graduate students in Lima (Peru).
abstract: Social representations are a type of common sense knowledge shared by different groups based on their experience. This study identified the social representations of dental practice in a group of environmental health graduate students in Lima, Peru.
  
  
  METHODS
  We interviewed 25 graduate students using a "focus group" technique and a semi-structured guide. Three groups were formed with purposive sampling. The data were collected during the years 2010-2011, and analyzed using open, axial, selective coding with Atlas-Ti software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three substantive categories were identified: dental practice, characteristics of the dental care provider and dental practice setting. The social representations that the students identified with dental practice were fear and pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The negative social representations of dental practice may affect viability and adherence to treatment, so it is important to identify them in time in order to intervene effectively.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Centre, University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pozos-Radillo
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Centre, University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Preciado-Serrano
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Centre, University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ana R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Plascencia
authors.affiliation: Universitat Oberta Cataluya, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Má
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrión-García
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Centre, University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Los A Aguilera
mesh_terms: D003729:Dental Care; D004782:Environmental Health; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D010568:Peru; D013334:Students; D013335:Students, Dental
chemical_list: D007477:Ions