Comparison of students' satisfaction levels in different dentistry faculties in Türkiye

Dental education in Türkiye has expanded rapidly, with new faculties established and increased student quotas. This growth may influence educational quality and student satisfaction. If this influence proves detrimental, the quality of public healthcare services may decline, or there may be a lag behind international standards. This study aimed to compare undergraduate students' satisfaction levels at long-established versus newly established dental faculties in Türkiye.

A cross-sectional, multi-center survey was administered to undergraduate dentistry students (n = 828) from long-established (≥ 10 years) and newly established (<;10 years) faculties. Data were collected online using a two-part questionnaire comprising demographics and a 30-item Likert-type scale evaluating satisfaction with quality of educational programs, physical facilities, integration of modern technologies, evolving patient demographics, clinical experiences and professional outlook. Statistical analyses, including Pearson's Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact tests, were used to examine the relationships between student demographics and satisfaction variables.

A total of 828 students participated (65.9% (n = 546) from long-established, 34.1% (n = 282) newly established faculties). Most were in their first or second grade, with 61.8% (n = 512) female. Across both faculty types, key reasons for choosing dentistry included professional satisfaction (32.9% (n = 272)) and societal prestige (26.2% (n = 217)). Significant differences were observed between long-established and newly established faculties regarding perceptions of theoretical course content, sufficiency of clinical experience, international competitiveness of the curriculum, adequacy of physical facilities, and overall university satisfaction (p < 0.05). Students from long-established faculties generally reported more favorable ratings in these domains. A notable proportion of students (34.9% (n = 289)) expressed concern about the future of the profession, with differences in worry levels observed between the faculty types (p < 0.05).

Students in long-established faculties reported higher satisfaction across multiple domains, potentially reflecting more developed infrastructures and greater academic expertise. These findings highlight the importance of enhance physical resources, technological capacities, and clinical opportunities-particularly in newly established institutions. Strengthening these aspects may enhance student satisfaction and better prepare future graduates for the evolving demands of dental practice. Furthermore, fostering international accreditation and collaboration could support ongoing improvements in educational quality across all dentistry faculties in Türkiye.