title: Assessing Difficulties Encountered by Dental Students Studying Oral Pathology and Addressing Their Concerns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present scenario of Oral Pathology and Oral Histology as a subject is alarming. In spite of so many advancements in terms of books, internet and conferences there are still lacunae between the understanding and interest for the subjects in the students. It can be partly due to the fact that the students perceive it as a non-clinical subject having a lesser scope for practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was aimed at evaluating the students approach towards oral pathology department and the subject. The purpose of the study was to analyze practical hurdles encountered by students and to find out solutions to overcome them.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional questionnaire based study was done with BDS students of People's Dental Academy, Bhopal, India, to gauge the understanding of their knowledge in the subject of Oral Pathology and Oral Histology. Questionnaire comprised of 28 multiple choice questions under five parameters. The data recorded was subjected to statistical analysis using chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that study samples were efficient enough in terms of following instructions related to their day to day training. Although they were content with light microscope, they thought that some more interactive sessions could be beneficial for them in Oral Pathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Through our study we found out that the students are well oriented on the whole about Oral Pathology. They certainly encounter difficulties which are easy to handle if proper measures are taken. We through our study would like the readers to be aware of the changing trends in teaching and to incorporate them routinely.
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, People's Dental Academy , Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saawarn
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, People's Dental Academy , Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Anish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, People's Dental Academy , Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Megha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, People's College of Dental Sciences , Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Nisheeth
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saawarn
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, People's Dental Academy , Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Sahana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ashok
authors.affiliation: Professor, Deparment of Periodontology and Implantology, People's College of Dental Sciences , Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Ashok
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, People's College of Dental Sciences , Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, NIMS Dental College , Jaipur, Rajasthan, India .
authors.forename: Nilesh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pardhe
keywords: Approach; Knowledge; Scenario