Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Pericoronitis is a common inflammatory condition associated with partially erupted third molars and frequently encountered in dental practice. Understanding dental students' experience and management approaches is important for improving education and clinical decision-making. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, clinical experience, and management practices related to pericoronitis among undergraduate dental students. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among clinical dental students. Data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using the Chi-square test with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 259 students participated. Among them, 35.5% were sixth-year students, 32% in the fifth year, and 31.5% in the fourth year. History of pericoronitis was reported by a substantial proportion of students. A statistically significant association was found between history of pericoronitis and dental consultation (χ (2) = 16.67, p < 0.001). No significant association was observed between sex or academic year and history of pericoronitis. CONCLUSION: Personal experience with pericoronitis significantly influences dental consultation behavior among students. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening preventive education and evidence-based management strategies in undergraduate dental training.