TO ASSESS THE ATTITUDE AND APTITUDE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TOWARDS DENTAL DEPARTMENTS AND AREA OF SPECIALIZATION - A PILOT STUDY

Introduction: Knowledge regarding the attitude and aptitude of dental students towards the various specializations of dentistry in India is a topic that remains largely untouched. This is an because much of the thought process of the students formed in these formative years as undergraduates decides what kind of career they will have. Methodology: This is a cross sectional questionnaire study, which included the interns of the dental colleges in lucknow city. Around 267 replies were gathered. Basic frequency analysis and bar graphs were made to understand the results. Results: A pattern was seen to emerge, where students found the specializations of Oral surgery, Orthodontics and Conservative Dentistry as the most interesting subjects, they were the most sought after subjects for post-graduation (PG). Periodontics, Pedodontics and Oral pathology were seen to be the least interesting and preferred for PG. Prosthodontics and Public Health Dentistry were seen as the most difficult subjects, with a difficult theory and practical were the chief reasons. Discussions: This study was the preliminary work done to gain an understanding of the minds of the under-graduate students, their reasons to join the profession of dentistry and what their thoughts were regarding the various subjects. Conclusion: This study gives some very important insight in the minds of the student population. When followed by a more extensive research at a national level, it may help us understand the lacunae in the profession (Clinical and Academic). This is a pilot study to be followed with a more detailed work.