Emotional intelligence and dental undergraduates

ABSTRACT

Emotional intelligence is the ability to control one's own emotions. In Dental Institutions, students with higher Emotional Intelligence scores can play very significant role in achieving better patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to access the level of Emotional Intelligence [El] among Dental Under- graduates. A Cross-sectional survey was conducted in which the sample size was 186 Dental Undergraduates from all 4 years. Data were collected on a validated self complete questionnaire and analysed on SPSS. The students had to score out of 165. These Scores were divided into higher and lower scores. There were 95 [51.1%] students who scored low in El, while 91 [48.9%] students scored high in El. The male students scored high 54.1% as compared to female students 46.1%. More seniors secured lower scores in Emotional Intelligence among their group. However, more juniors secured higher scores in Emotional Intelligence in their group. The association between year of study and Emotional Intelligence scores was found to be statistically significant [p=0. 026].A need is felt that Medical Educationist should advocate Emotional Intelligence as a criterion for the selection of medical and dental students