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ISSN 2063-5346
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Evaluation of Challenges Encountered by Dental Students in the Study of Oral Medicine: A KAP Study

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Dr.Arjun Yadav Vemula , Dr. V. Kranthi , Dr.Ranjeeta Mehta , Dr.Chetna Joshi , Dr Susmit Sneha , Dr.Yukti Dobhal
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.si7.732

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the challenges encountered by dental students during their study of oral medicine and to provide valuable insights into potential areas of improvement in the curriculum. Methods: A structured questionnaire was distributed among 185 dental students from a dental institution. The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended and open-ended questions, allowing participants to express their experiences and perceptions regarding the challenges faced during their oral medicine studies. The data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution and thematic analysis. Results: The study revealed that dental students perceived their oral medicine studies to be moderately challenging, with an average difficulty rating of 3.6 on a scale of 1 to 5. Time management and balancing academic and clinical responsibilities emerged as the most common challenges, reported by 34.7% and 32.0% of participants, respectively. Limited access to study resources (19.3%) and technology integration challenges (10.7%) were also identified as significant concerns. However, the majority of students expressed relatively high satisfaction with instructor support (average rating of 3.9) and felt moderately prepared for clinical practice (46.7%). Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of addressing challenges in oral medicine studies to improve the learning experience and support dental students effectively. Recommendations include curriculum enhancements, time management workshops, mentorship programs, technology integration, and communication training. Acknowledging the study's limitations, such as the sample size and self-reported data, future research with diverse samples and mixed-method approaches is recommended for a more comprehensive understanding of challenges in oral medicine studies. By implementing the proposed interventions, dental institutions can foster a conducive learning environment and better equip students for real-world clinical scenarios, ultimately enhancing the quality of oral medicine education and patient care.

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