A Nation-wide Survey Assessing the Satisfaction of Dental Colleges Graduates with their Undergraduate Experience: Graduate-Related Factors.

OBJECTIVE To date, there are no publications on the Saudi graduates\u0027 perceived value of their dental curriculum. The aim of this nation-wide survey was to investigate graduates\u0027 satisfaction with specific disciplines of their dental education and training. The first part of this study addressed findings according to the respondents\u0027 gender and the number of years of postgraduate experience (Graduate-related factors). METHODS An electronic questionnaire was emailed to registrants of the Saudi Dental Society, specifically dental interns, general dentists, and specialized dentists who graduated from private and governmental dental colleges in Saudi Arabia (n = 2,185). RESULTS The response rate was 36.4%. The number of male respondents was (n = 352, 44.2%), the remainder being female (n = 444, 55.8%). The number of recent dentists (≤ 5 years since graduation) was (n = 428, 53.8%) and experienced dentists (n = 368, 46.2%). There were statistically significant gender variations in satisfaction levels, and among dentists with different post-graduation experiences. Although male and female dental students are taught similar curriculums and have similar graduation requirements, there were statistically significant differences in various subjects covered. Similarly, recent and experienced dentists reported statistically significant differences in satisfaction in various subjects. CONCLUSION This study provides graduates\u0027 perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of their dental education in Saudi Arabia. The findings help in curriculum reform and collaborations between the dental colleges nationally. Ultimately this can lead to formulating a national dental accreditation and assessment body. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The findings of this study provide graduates\u0027 perspective on the dental education received in Saudi Arabia. This will help stimulate discussion and collaboration within and amongst the colleges on improving their curriculum in this fast-paced, evolving field of dentistry.