Introduction: qualitative research is a method to approach reality, particularly local phenomena, in a comprehensive manner. It is quite incipient in the health sector, let alone in odontology, where its use is limited to specific academic research. Objective: evaluate the number and content of results obtained by qualitative odontological research published in journals in the period 2008-2013. Method: A systematic search was conducted in search engines like Pubmed, Scielo, Blackwell Synergy and Lilacs. The search terms were dentistry, oral health, oral disease, qualitative method, qualitative research. A narrative data analysis was performed in which the results of the papers selected were systematized. Results: the study found 36 qualitative papers published in the last five years. There is limited use of qualitative research in odontology, and it is mainly focused on clinical practice and observational descriptive research. This points to the existence of a research niche still untouched and therefore not well understood by science. Conclusions: qualitative odontological evidence is centered around specific areas, incorporating sociocultural variables and data collection techniques based on interviews and traditional comparative analysis.