Evaluating the clinical quality of departments as viewed by juniors and seniors of Shiraz dental school
Volume 5, Issue 5, Autumn 2015, Pages 1-7
. Shahla Momeni Danaei, . Elham Mazareie, . Sahar Hosseininezhad, . Mahsa Nili
Abstract Introduction: Assessment of students’ perspective is an essential element in effective educational
quality evaluation. By identifying strengths and weaknesses, it leads to improvement in future
performance. Methods: This cross‑sectional study was performed through a questionnaire
comprising 23 questions. Reliability was assessed using α‑Chronbach (α =0.87), and validity
was confirmed by a group of five experts. Tukey test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and two
sample t‑tests were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 168 answered questionnaires
were entered in our study. Maximum satisfaction in most items was shown in removable
prosthodontics and orthodontics departments whereas oral surgery and comprehensive
treatment departments acquired the least scores. In all departments, personnels’ respectful
attitude had the highest score whereas minimum grade was given to stressful workload
and overall satisfaction in each department. In comparison with a similar study, conducted
3 years ago, level of satisfaction was raised for orthodontics and removable prosthodontics
departments though it was declined for the pediatrics department. Conclusion: The special
cadre of clinical instructors comprising both experienced and young members is considered
as an important factor leading to high student satisfaction in the orthodontics department.
Promotion of a removable prosthodontics department is related to the high relevance between
the implemented educational program and the curriculum. The moderate performance of oral
surgery and restorative departments is indicative of the need for more attention from ministry
authorities to major dental departments such as oral surgery, endodontic, restorative and
periodontics, in order to increase the students’ scientific capability in these fields.