Attitude towards learning communication skill among dental interns in Davanagere City: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Current education systems including dental education are focusing on communication, leadership, and team-building skills; hence, it is imperative to understand the students' perspectives and willingness to learn communication skills during their professional course. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the attitude towards learning communication skill among dental interns in Davanagere city. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey in a dental college setting was conducted among 125 dental interns of Davanagere city. Data were collected pertaining to age, gender, academic performance in the final-year BDS, self-perceived level of communicating skill, and attitude towards learning communication skill using a pretested study pro forma and Dental Communication Skills, Attitude Scale questionnaire. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were generated in terms of percentages and mean attitude scores. Student's unpaired t-test, one-way ANOVA test, and Pearson's correlation test were used for the analysis of data. The significant level was set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean positive attitude score of the interns was 51.71 ± 5.10, and the mean negative attitude score was 28.15 ± 4.67. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean attitude scores between males and females. Dental interns' attitude towards learning communication skill was not related to their self-reported communication skill and academic performance (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Dental interns had a high positive attitude towards learning communication skill which were not related with their self-reported communication skill and academic performance.