Introduction. Oral health is a critical aspect of a child's overall well-being. According to recent data, the prevalence of dental diseases such as early childhood caries, malocclusions, inflammatory conditions, and dental injuries among children and adolescents is steadily increasing. Effective prevention and early diagnosis of dental diseases require not only clinical competencies but also specific psychological and pedagogical skills from healthcare providers. Pediatric dentistry differs from other dental specializations by higher emotional stress, the necessity for continuous interaction with children and their parents, and specific technical peculiarities of dental procedures. In this context, the study of factors influencing medical students' choice of specialization in "Pediatric Dentistry" gains special importance for optimizing educational processes and improving professional training. Aim. To study factors influencing fifth-year dental faculty students' choice of primary specialization in "Pediatric Dentistry," identifying motivational and restrictive aspects shaping their professional preferences. Materials and methods. The materials included a specially developed survey conducted via the YandexForms platform among fifth-year dental students at Kursk State Medical University. A total of 116 students participated in the survey. Statistical and theoretical methods were applied for data processing and analysis. Results and discussion. The data analysis showed that only 31.3% of surveyed students intend to pursue a professional career in pediatric dentistry. Students identified significant barriers to choosing this specialty, including high psycho-emotional stress, procedural difficulties, psychological pressure from parents, and physical risks such as bites and scratches. The majority of students (91.8%) confirmed that pediatric dentistry requires substantial psychological resilience and stress management skills. Among the positive factors influencing specialty choice, students emphasized the possibility of utilizing modern technologies such as sedation and laser dentistry. Nevertheless, the number of students interested in the specialization remains relatively low, highlighting the necessity of improving educational programs in this field. Conclusions. The study identified primary factors that limit the attractiveness of the "Pediatric Dentistry" specialty for graduating students, along with aspects that could enhance its appeal. These findings suggest the need for enhancing psychological preparation and introducing elements that provide realistic representations of pediatric dentistry's specific working conditions, aiming to increase student interest in this specialization.