| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 17
| Issue : 6 | Page : 472-479 |
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Perception and willingness toward oral pathology and histology as a subject and profession among Indian dental undergraduates
Pulin Saluja1, Charu Khurana2, Aparna Dave1, Manpreet Arora1, Srishti Kumar1
1 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, SGT Dental College, Hospital and Research Institute, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
2 National Oral Health Programme, Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Charu Khurana
National Oral Health Programme, Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS, New Delhi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1735-3327.302897
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Background: Oral pathology, a branch of dentistry which is often termed as a nonclinical branch deserves a better description as fundamental knowledge of oral pathology is essential to become a successful dental clinician. This study was conducted to analyze the approach toward Oral Pathology and Histology as a subject and profession among dental undergraduates.
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 students which included the 3rd year, 4th year and interns studying in a Dental College in Gurugram, Haryana. The questionnaire comprised 14 close-ended questions, divided under three parameters which included demographic characteristics, students' perception about the Oral Pathology and Histology as a subject, and willingness to choose it as a career option. The data recorded was subjected to statistical analysis using the Chi-square test. The level of statistical significance was set at P≤ 0.05.
Results: Among all the participants, 53 (26.5%) were males and 147 (73.5%) were females. It was found that 33.5% of the total students find the subject interesting, but 24.5% students reported their main focus on just passing this subject. Although they reported liking toward the subject, majority of them (64%) did not express their interest to pursue it as their postgraduation specialty.
Conclusion: The present scenario of Oral Pathology and Histology as a subject is alarming and in that scenario it should be our prime concern to change the attitude of students toward the subject who perceive it as a nonclinical subject having a lesser scope for practice with a need to broaden the scope of the specialty and to make it more practical.
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