People's Journal of Scientific Research
Published June 10, 2025 | Version 1
Publication Open

Perception of dentistry Among First Year Students from Medical , Paramedical and Dental Profession

Authors/Creators

Contributors

  • 1. Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Subharti Dental College & Hospital, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut - 250002 (Utttar Pradesh)

Description

Background-  Understanding  the  perception  of  dentistry  among  medical,  paramedical,  and  dental 
students  is  crucial  for  fostering  interdisciplinary  respect,  improving  collaboration,  and  addressing 
prevailing  misconceptions  about  the  field.  This  study  aims  to  assess  and  compare  the  knowledge, 
attitudes, and perceptions of dentistry among first-year students enrolled in medical, dental, nursing, and 
pharmacy programs.
Materials & Methods- 
 A cross-sectional survey was conducted among first-year students from medical, dental, nursing, and 
pharmacy programs. A structured questionnaire containing 16 questions was distributed to evaluate 
students' knowledge of dentistry, their perceptions of its importance within the healthcare system, and 
their attitude toward pursuing dental careers or collaborating with dental professionals. The collected 
data  was  analyzed  to  identify  significant  differences  in  perceptions  among  the  various  academic 
disciplines. 
Results- 
Preliminary findings revealed that dental students had a significantly greater understanding of the scope 
and relevance of dentistry compared to their peers in medical and paramedical fields. Many medical, 
nursing, and pharmacy students were found to underestimate the complexity and critical role of dentistry 
within the broader context of healthcare. Common misconceptions included viewing dentistry as less 
vital  profession  than  other  healthcare  professions.  However,  interprofessional  exposure  positively 
influenced perceptions across all groups. 
Conclusions- 
 The study highlights the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of dentistry among 
non-dental healthcare students. Implementing interprofessional educational initiatives can help bridge 
existing  knowledge  gaps,  correct  misconceptions,  and  foster  a  more  collaborative  and  integrated 
approach  to  patient  care.  Strengthening  interdisciplinary  connections  will  ultimately  benefit  both 
healthcare education and the quality of comprehensive patient management. 

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Additional details

Dates

Accepted
2025-05-31

References

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