<b>Analyzing the Impact of Student Research Groups in California's Dental Education Raw Data</b>

Research engagement is a vital component of dental education, fostering the development ofevidence-based practices and advancing the field of dentistry. Understanding factors thatinfluence research involvement among dental students can help enhance educational strategiesand support systems. The goal of this study was to understand patterns of research engagement,the impact of Student Research Groups (SRGs), and the future research aspirations of students inCalifornia dental schools using an online survey tool. Respondents (n=95) were predominantlyfrom UOP (45.3%), followed by UCLA (27.4%), and USC (9.5%), with the remaining fromLoma Linda, UCSF, and Western University. The majority (73.7%) of respondents hadundergraduate research experience. During their dental programs, 63.2% were members ofSRGs, with 54.7% involved in research. Only 18.9% joined SRGs in their first year.Additionally, 38.9% had presented their research at conferences, and 26.3% had published theirresearch. In the future, 52.6% of students plan to continue research after graduation. The surveyreveals a strong research engagement among dental students, from undergraduate involvement toactive participation during their graduate studies. The high level of SRG membership, conferencepresentations, and research publications indicate a vibrant research culture within Californiadental schools. However, there is potential to increase early engagement in SRGs. The positiveoutlook toward future research involvement underscores the need for continued promotion ofresearch opportunities within dental programs. Enhancing these opportunities will help cultivatea research-oriented mindset and contribute to the advancement of dental science.