Perception and willingness toward oral pathology and histology as a subject and profession among Indian dental undergraduates

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 3(rd) year, 4(th) 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.