RESUMEN
Objective: To introduce the main theoretical and methodological aspects of the external evaluation of the 1st cycle National Program for Quality Evaluation (AEPMAQ/ CEO). Material and Methods: This is an evaluative and quantitative research carried out in all Centers for Dental Specialties - CEO of Brazil, and macro-geographical regions were taken into account for analysis. The general AE-PMAQ/CEO coordination was from the Collaborative Centre for Oral Health Surveillance of the Ministry of Health - Federal University of Pernambuco and Department for Primary Health Care of the Ministry of Health. A collaborative network was established to offer a scientific and technical support for the Project among different higher education institutions around the country, state oral health coordination and quality researchers of AE-PMAQ/CEO. Data collection was carried out through interviews with managers, dentists and users. In addition, researchers used an observation template to check for infrastructure and a questionnaire to register previously discussed quality standards. Conclusion: The external evaluation of the 1st cycle National Program for Quality Evaluation offered data to demonstrate and give recognition to CEO services and municipalities' managers to assure quality for specialized dental care.