Research enterprise in health care, be it basic science (bench top) or clinical/translational research, is geared toward discoveries that will ultimately improve patient care. Research apart from its primary objective can also be a powerful tool in dental education to train the next generation of leaders in oral health care. The most important benefit for students who are involved in research as a part of the research team is their experience and exposure to the research process, which are critical for them to be inspired to consider research as their career choice. Though doing research is not a graduation requirement for the students in many colleges, those who end up doing it benefit immensely from this additional experience.
In order for Indian dental colleges to make a global impact in the coming decade, research and scholarly outputs are the key metrics that needs focus. Involving students in this process and creating a research-oriented work force is, therefore, mutually beneficial and strategically important. Just like in the United States, in India, the dental curriculum is already crammed with didactic courses and clinical experiences making it challenging to implement or introduce newer elements such as research. However, it is critical that the curriculum be de-compressed to create space for students to be exposed to research methodology and the concept of evidence-based dentistry to equip them with tools for effective life-long learning and evidence consumption.
Apart from the in-depth knowledge gained by students in their respective area of research, the experience of scientific inquiry can also enhance students' critical thinking and logical reasoning skills, which are required for effective clinical decision-making. Students involved in basic or clinical research will have a strong appreciation and will be better equipped to understand and implement evidence-based dentistry in their practice. From searching articles to applying the best evidence in a given clinical scenario, they have an edge over students without this experience. Though the body of scientific evidence in dentistry grows at a rapid pace, there are still a lot of clinical questions that practicing dentists face on a daily basis, for which the evidence is either limited or non-existent. Clinicians who use critical thinking and logical reasoning skills will have an upper hand in dealing with such patient scenarios.
In addition, the presentation of research findings at the local, national, or international meetings provide opportunities for dental students to hone their much needed oratorial and presentation skills. Research presentations also provide a perfect platform for learning and networking opportunities for dental students originating from other institutions and/or countries. It is a two-way learning process where the faculty has the opportunity to positively influence a student on a one to one basis, which might not be feasible in classroom settings. Therefore, apart from benefitting students, encouraging faculty members to mentor dental students is a rewarding experience for all parties involved. Overall, incorporating a research component within undergraduate dental curriculum is a win-win strategy with the potential to elevate student experience and produce an effective future dental workforce in India.
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