Effect of early clinical exposure to GRIT among Indian undergraduate dental students

Dental education is acknowledged for its inherent stress, demanding a multifaceted skill set from students. Early Clinical Exposure (ECE) has emerged as a potential tool to enhance students' interest and perseverance in the face of challenges. Therefore, it is of interest to explore the influence of ECE on GRIT levels among first-year dental students. GRIT is the combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It reflects an individual's ability to stay committed to their objectives despite challenges or setbacks. GRIT is considered a key predictor of success, especially in demanding fields like education, where sustained effort is crucial. A modified 12-item GRIT survey was electronically administered to first-year dental students, measuring their perseverance and passion for long-term goals. The study also investigated potential confounding factors such as age, gender and whether dentistry was the first choice for undergraduate studies. The GRIT scale's internal consistency was found to be high (Cronbach's α = 0.88) and test-retest reliability was established (Intra class Correlation Coefficient = 0.98). Data shows a statistically significant positive correlation between early clinical exposure and GRIT levels in first-year dental students. The majority of respondents demonstrated a substantial degree of grit, with 47.5% categorized as "Very Much Gritty." Interestingly, no individuals were classified as "Not Gritty at all." Additional analyses explored the influence of age, gender and dentistry as the first choice on GRIT levels. While no significant impact was observed based on these factors; female students exhibited slightly higher GRIT levels than their male counterparts. This study's findings contribute valuable insights to dental education, emphasizing the potential benefits of integrating ECE into curricula. Dental schools and educators are encouraged to recognize the motivational impact of early clinical exposure, fostering GRIT development among students.