Language proficiency and perceived drawbacks among undergraduate dental students in a south indian dental college

Aim: To investigate whether dental students perceive drawbacks in their education and examination experience because of their lack of language proficiency.
Objectives: 1) To investigate whether dental students who were educated in schools in which English was not the only medium of instruction, perceive drawbacks in their education and examination experience because of their language background and lack of language proficiency. 2) To analyze any change in this perception as the students progress through the undergraduate course.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 500 undergraduate dental students (n=500) and were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of 14 questions related to their language background, medium of instruction at school and their perceived academic drawbacks with respect to language proficiency.
Result: Dental students who were educated in schools in which English was not the only medium of instruction, perceived drawbacks in their education and examination experience because of their language background and lack of language proficiency.
Conclusion: Language skills, communication skills and Behavioral science must be an integral part of dental education to ease the transition from school to dental college.