Appraisal of students‘ perception of prosthodontic learning environment in Moradabad, North India.

Dr. Siddhi Tripathi; Dr. Kanesha Abrol; Dr. Swatantra Agarwal; Dr. Rachna Maheshwari; Dr. Nimra Mehraj; Dr. Ashish Sharma

Volume : VIII, Issue : X, October - 2019

Appraisal of students‘ perception of prosthodontic learning environment in Moradabad, North India.

Dr. Siddhi Tripathi, Dr. Kanesha Abrol, Dr. Swatantra Agarwal, Dr. Rachna Maheshwari, Dr. Nimra Mehraj, Dr. Ashish Sharma

Abstract :

Objectives: Dental curriculum especially prosthodontics is elaborative, challenging and difficult to conceptualize while co–relating theoretical and clinical aspects. In this regard, students constitute a stakeholder group that provides unique information concerning effectiveness of the dental curriculum. Hence, a study was conducted to elicit and compare the differences in perception of the prosthodontic learning environment between the preclinical and clinical years of under–graduate curriculum and between under–graduate and post–graduate students of prosthodontics in a dental teaching institute in Moradabad, India. Methods: A total number of 400 students participated in the study. A sixty–item closed–ended DCLES cross–sectional questionnaire was completed by the dental graduates (including interns) and post–graduate students. The data obtained was statistically analyzed. Results: With regard to perception of the prosthodontic learning environment statistically significant differences were found in flexibility, supportiveness, meaningful experience, organization and eadth of interest between pre–clinical and clinical years of undergraduate students (p<0.05). When under–graduates and post–graduates were compared, significant differences were found in student to student interaction and emotional climate. Conclusion: The study highlighted the areas of strength and weakness from student�s perspective within a teaching dental institute. Identification of these areas can provide prosthodontic dental educators, a road map for quality enhancement, curriculum revision and escalate student�s contentment with the learning environment in dental institution.