BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Research plays a vital role in health sciences as an integral part of health education. Hence, this study was undertaken with objective of assessing awareness and attitude regarding research in dental students of Central India. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study carried out on 300 dental students (75 in each batch), selected by simple random sampling. Data was collected and analyzed for percentage, mean and standard deviation. RESULTS:

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... 6% students responded; 99.3% students were aware about research, and 94% students were interested in research, 99.3% thought that research is important in medical field and 83% were willing to contribute to research project. Barriers for research were no extra time for research (57%) and lack of guidance (21.6%). 73.3% students agreed that research should be included as a part of dental curriculum. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Though dental students were aware of research and interested in research, significant barriers were deterring them from active participation in research. Provision of creating a favorable environment and building of sound knowledge and introducing the concept of research in dental students is must for the individuals and society.