Sana Tahir¹*, Khulood Tariq², Uswa Qaiser³, Farzana Karim⁴

^{1, 2, 3}University College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

⁴Dental Unit, MARKS Medical College, Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh 

*Corresponding address: Department of Medical Education, University College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

Email: sanazuhaib98@gmail.com

Received: 29 April 2026 / Revised: 24 May 2026 / Accepted: 10 June 2026 / Available Online: 26 June 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63137/jsteam.718629

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To assess the knowledge and perception of soft skills among undergraduate dental students and to evaluate the acquisition of these skills through the taught curriculum

Methods: A cross-sectional study employing non-probability sampling among undergraduate dental students at private dental colleges of Lahore, Pakistan. A questionnaire on knowledge and acquisition of soft skills through the taught curriculum was adopted and distributed to students in years 1-4. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 24. Categorical variables are reported as percentages, and continuous variables are reported as mean ± SD. A total of 250 students (years 1–4) from two private dental colleges participated. Mean soft skill domain scores were compared across years of study using one-way ANOVA and between genders using independent samples t-tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Statistically significant differences in mean soft skill scores were observed across years of study for all seven domains (p < 0.05), with first-year students scoring higher than fourth-year students in most domains. While 86.8% of students recognized the importance of soft skills, 40.4% were unaware that any were taught in their curriculum. Professional ethics and leadership received the lowest mean scores across all years.

Conclusion: It is the need of the hour to introduce the soft skills curriculum in undergraduate dental programs, as although most students recognize its importance in their professional lives, they are often unable to clearly identify whether these skills are being formally taught and nurtured during their training.

Keywords: Soft skills, Non-technical skills, Non-clinical skills, Verbal skills, Communication skills, Undergraduate dental education.

Data Availability: The data supporting this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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How to Cite: Tahir S, Tariq K, Qaiser U, Karim F. Perception of Soft Skills among Undergraduate Dental Students. J Sci Technol Educ Art Med. 2026;3(1):45-52