Affirmative Policies

 The Program’s current actions are established in the selection process announcement. These actions guarantee the reservation of 10% of vacancies
for candidates who self-declare as black, brown or indigenous; with a disability proven by a medical report; or in a situation of economic hardship. In addition, the announcement explicitly states that a companion is allowed for people with disabilities and breastfeeding women. For breastfeeding
women, it is also possible to have additional time of up to 20% of the duration of each test for breastfeeding.
The announcement has proven effective in the inclusion of minority groups, with 26 students (22%) who self-declare as black, brown or brown
currently enrolled in the Program. In the selection processes, a significant increase in the search for these vacancies was also observed, since the
implementation of this action, with the following evolution: 0% in 2nd/2021, 18% in 1st/2022, 34% in 1st/2023, 46% in 2nd/2023 and 34% in 2nd/2024.
There were also the following requests for exemption from registration fees, granted due to economic hardship: in 2021 there were no requests, in 2022 there were 3 requests, in 2023, 4 requests, and in 2024, the number rose to 11. This gradual growth indicates the importance of the benefit as an
affirmative policy, reflecting both a greater awareness of the possibility of exemption and the worsening of economic conditions, which has led more
people to resort to this aid.
The Program currently has 2 active CAPES PhD scholarships, with a quota from the USP Pro-Rectorate of Graduate Studies, focusing on
Affirmative Actions, and 1 active CNPq PhD scholarship from a Specific Announcement for Affirmative Actions.
The Coordinating Committee of the Postgraduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry is constantly seeking other measures to support student retention,
such as encouraging participation in the Teaching Improvement Program (PAE) for mothers who are researchers, where students can receive up to 4
internship scholarships for their doctorate, limited to 2 scholarships for their master's degree, and the Student Retention Program (PAPEF). In addition,the Coordinating Committee of the Postgraduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry is seeking other actions, such as participating in different internal and external announcements at USP to obtain other forms of funding that
help students retain their students.
Additionally, the Program has been working to promote actions that favor inclusion and a sense of belonging among its students, such as the
creation of a Student Welcoming and Care Meeting Program, led by a Program teacher, such as Reiki, Mindfulness, Acupuncture and Tai Chi
activities, which are provided free of charge.