Background:

The challenges posed by research mean that very few students choose it as a career regardless of how many are involved in research during their university studies.

Objective:

To analyze the challenges and opportunities that dental students perceive when conducting scientific research.

Methods:

Observational and cross-sectional study including 112 dissertation students who completed their final degree project at the School of Dentistry (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú). The students’ perception of the challenges and opportunities was measured at the end of the study with a scale that rated the following categories, among others: facilities and infrastructure as support, interpersonal support and institutional relations, writing a report, and publishing research results. The scores were analyzed through averages and comparison analysis.

Results:

The general score was 2.45 ± 0.34. The dimensions “data analysis” (3.17 ± 0.41) and “general research experience” (3.26 ± 0.39) presented higher averages. Men showed higher overall scores (2.43 ± 0.31), with significant differences in the dimensions “research design and selection” (p= 0.001).

Conclusion:

The challenges and opportunities for research are below average; the main challenges were institutional support, proper laboratories, and a curricular design that does not foster research. The main opportunities were found in data analysis and research experience in general.

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