Contributions to the discussion on societal impact assessment in graduate programs in dentistry in Brazil

This article aims to discuss the scientific and societal impact of Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry and propose an impact assessment framework considering recent changes in the national evaluation model. The study highlights the high scientific productivity and global relevance of Brazilian dental research by examining bibliometric data from the Scopus and Scival platforms. The bibliometric map of abstracts from theses and dissertations developed at graduate programs in dentistry between 2013 and 2022 leads to at least three thematic clusters, suggesting consistency and diversity in the knowledge produced. Three consolidated frameworks were reviewed to explore the societal impact: the Payback Model, SIAMPI, and CIROP. Based on these theoretical frameworks, the article proposes a set of illustrative indicators based on the Kellogg Foundation's logic model and the Strategy Evaluation Protocol (SEP), aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These indicators may support the self-assessment of graduate programs and feed into the national evaluation systems. Integrating these elements enables a multidimensional view of impact, capturing excellence in knowledge production and contributions to public health, innovation, and equity promotion. The proposed framework is flexible and adaptable to different institutional missions and regional realities, and is particularly relevant in a country where academic and professional graduate programs coexist. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of including scientific and societal impact in evaluation processes, thus strengthening the connection between research, health policies, and Society's needs.