<b>A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Dental Undergraduates’ Interest and Perception in Pursuing Research Careers in Pakistan</b>

Background: Undergraduate research is increasingly acknowledged as essential for developing critical thinking, innovation, and evidence-based practice in dentistry. Despite demonstrated benefits, participation among dental students in developing countries remains limited, often due to systemic barriers such as insufficient mentorship and lack of institutional support. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of interest and perceptions of undergraduate dental students in Pakistan toward research careers, while identifying key motivating and deterring factors influencing their engagement. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from June to July 2025 among undergraduate dental students across Pakistan. A validated, structured questionnaire covering demographics, research interest, perceptions, barriers, and motivators was distributed online. A total of 381 fully completed responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: Most students expressed interest in research careers (75.6%), yet less than half (48.6%) had participated in research projects. Awareness of career pathways was limited, with only 10.5% reporting strong knowledge. Key motivators included opportunities for higher studies (48.8%) and passion for innovation (41.5%), while barriers comprised lack of awareness (59.8%) and insufficient mentorship (52.2%). Conclusion: While Pakistani dental undergraduates demonstrate strong enthusiasm for research, systemic obstacles constrain participation. Structured mentorship, curricular integration, and enhanced career guidance are needed to translate interest into active research engagement.