Assessment/Evaluation of Dentistry Students' Perceptions of Distance Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic Process: A Two Centers Study

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Abstract
Purpose: The present study aimed to comparatively evaluate the acceptance perceptions of satisfaction towards distance theoretical education of students studying at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University faculty of dentistry (new faculty), which is newly established and located in the countryside, and Ankara University faculty of dentistry (old faculty) located in a metropolitan, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Materials & Methods: For this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire consisting of 5 parts and compatible with a Likert scale was prepared. The prepared questionnaire was sent online to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. Pearson chi-square analysis was applied to determine the difference between qualitative variables according to the groups. The appropriate chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical variables between groups. The statistical significance level was determined as p<0.05. Results: Students in the old faculty thought that the instructors prepared classes including up-to-date resources in distance theoretical education during the pandemic process at a higher percentage than the students in the new faculty (60.1% vs. 48.4%; p=0.001) and that the classes were given regularly with distance education (75.2% vs. 52.9%; p<0.001). 57.7% of the students in both faculties stated it would be useful to continue some theoretical classes with distance education even if the pandemic process ends Conclusion: It is incorrect to apply the same educational strategies at all universities in the country. It would be less costly and much more beneficial for each faculty to produce solutions for their problems. The new faculty needs to develop improving strategies for the academic staff. Keywords: COVID-19, Dentistry, Distance Learning, Questionnaire

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