Do female and male dental students have different perspectives of professional activity in their offices?

Background: One of the concerns of dental students is the decision to pursue further studies in specialized programs or to work as general dentists. This study aimed to assess the interest of final-year dental students at Babol University of Medical Sciences in performing various treatments in a general dental practice in the future. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, a questionnaire was distributed among 100 final-year dental students at Babol University of Medical Sciences, inquiring about demographic characteristics, interest in performing various treatments in the future, and methods for acquiring more skills. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22 and statistical tests including T-Test, Chi-Square, and Mann-Whitney Test, with a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: Female students showed a greater inclination toward continuing their education (p=0.045), while male students expressed more interest in establishing a general dental practice and performing specialized treatments in the future (p=0.015). Half of the students considered the general dental education adequate, and participation in private sector workshops was the most favored method for skill acquisition. Interest in pediatric dental procedureswas higher among female students (p=0.000), while male students preferred surgical (p=0.003) and prosthetic treatments (p=0.007). Conclusions: According to the study results, interest in various treatments depends on the different sex of the students. It is suggested to offer optional supplementary courses based on students' interests in their final semester to enhance skill acquisition.