Introduccion y Objetivo: Las intervenciones con programas de promocion de la salud y prevencion de la enfermedad oral han sido utilizadas en las comunidades vulnerables con el fin de evitar tratamientos de operatoria dental. El proposito de este estudio fue analizar los conocimientos, manejo y aplicacion de los conceptos de salud y enfermedad oral, en familias desplazadas por la violencia. Materiales y Metodos: Un enfoque metodologico cualitativo, apoyado en el metodo de investigacion accion participativa, fue utilizado en 15 familias desplazadas por la violencia con ninos escolarizados. Para la recoleccion de la informacion se utilizaron los talleres, la entrevista individual estructurada, la entrevista a grupos focales y la observacion. Resultados: Los pobladores lograron construir un nuevo conocimiento en el cual se establecio la salud como un proceso constituido por diferentes componentes (bienestar fisico, mental y social). De igual manera, el metodo de ensenanza (IAP) permitio a los pobladores ser parte activa de la solucion de sus problemas y dificultades, modificando conceptos vagos de salud y enfermedad y convirtiendolos en personas inquietas en la busqueda de situaciones que mejoren su calidad de vida, autoestima, motivacion y sentido de pertenencia en la comunidad. Conclusiones: Es fundamental la interaccion directa con la comunidad, donde se pueda conocer a fondo todos sus aspectos sociales y tomar este analisis como punto de partida para disenar estrategias que permitan la intervencion directa de la comunidad y mejorar su calidad de vida. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract Introduction and Objective: The interventions with health promotion and prevention programs had been used in vulnerable communities, in order to reduce operative dentistry. The aim of the present study was to analyze the knowledge and application of health and illness concepts, in families displaced by violence. Materials and Methods: This project is based on a qualitative methodological focus, supported in the participatory action investigation method, including constructive and hermeneutical tools. 15 lower-income families displaced by violence and whose children were scholarized, were selected. Data collection was done through educational workshops, individual structured interviews, focus groups and observation of people responsible for the care of the children. Categories analyzed included Health and general illness, health and oral illness, prevention, knowledge on treatment of oral illnesses, oral health habits and social practices. Results: The settlers managed to build a new knowledge in which health was established as a process constituted by different components such as social, mental, and physical welll-being. Similarly, this technique of teaching (IAP) allowed settlers to participate actively in the solution of their problems and difficulties, modifying vague concepts of health and illness and becoming involved in looking for solutions that improve their quality of life, self-esteem, motivation and sense of belonging to the community. Conclusions: It is fundamental to have a direct interaction with the community, in order to know all its social aspects in depth. This analysis will serve as a starting point in order to design educational strategies that will permit direct intervention of the community and improve their quality of life.