Research Article

Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey

Volume: 12 Number: 4 September 19, 2025
TR EN

Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey

Abstract

Objective This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of academicians regarding SCE in undergraduate dental education. Materials and Methods The study was conducted using a Google Forms survey platform with the participation of 254 dental students (from first to fifth year) and 97 academicians. The survey assessed knowledge and awareness of SCE, current practices and experiences, encountered challenges, and recommendations for improvement. Ethical approval was obtained from the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry. Dental students and academicians across Turkey were invited to participate via email and social media. Personal data were not recorded, and responses were analyzed anonymously. Collected data were statistically analyzed using the Chi-Square test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results No statistically significant difference was observed in SCE awareness between research assistants and assistant/associate professors (p=0.11). However, a statistically significant difference was found in the level of knowledge regarding Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and the Flipped Classroom Model (FCM) across academic titles (p=0.018). A total of 36.1% of participants considered themselves competent in implementing student-centered education methods in undergraduate training. Both students and academicians identified PBL and FCM as the least preferred educational methods. The most reported challenges in implementing SCE methods were time management (65% for students, 72.2% for academicians) and insufficient technological infrastructure (68% for students, 64.9% for academicians). The most frequently cited supportive factor necessary for enhancing the effectiveness of these methods was the improvement of technological infrastructure (74.4% for students, 85.6% for academicians). Conclusion Although healthcare education in Turkey aligns with international standards, significant deficiencies exist in both knowledge and implementation of SCE methods. Enhancing awareness and providing targeted training on these methods can contribute to the development of highly qualified professionals and the delivery of improved healthcare services.

Keywords

References

  1. 1. Field MJ. Dental education at the crossroads: challenges and change. 1995.
  2. 2. Challa KT, Sayed A, Acharya Y. Modern techniques of teaching and learning in medical education: a descriptive literature review. MedEdPublish. 2021; 10:18.
  3. 3. Jiraporncharoen W, Angkurawaranon C, Chockjamsai M, Deesomchok A, Euathrongchit J. Learning styles and academic achievement among undergraduate medical students in Thailand. Journal of educational evaluation for health professions. 2015;12.
  4. 4. Rubaia’an MAB. Dental education: a guide for novice tutors. Cureus. 2023;15(8).
  5. 5. Nadershahi NA, Bender DJ, Beck L, Lyon C, Blaseio A. An overview of case–based and problem–based learning methodologies for dental education. Journal of Dental Education. 2013;77(10):1300-5.
  6. 6. Akaltan KF. Diş hekimliği eğitiminde güncelleme: Eğitim ve öğrenim yöntemleri. Selcuk Dental Journal. 2019;6(5):1-20.
  7. 7. Nakamura M. Introduction of Learner-centered Education at Showa University School of Dentistry. Dental medicine research. 2012;32(3):162-7.
  8. 8. McLean SF. Case-based learning and its application in medical and health-care fields: a review of worldwide literature. Journal of medical education and curricular development. 2016;3: JMECD. S20377.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Restorative Dentistry

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 19, 2025

Submission Date

April 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 30, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 4

APA
Velioğlu, M. S., Özdemir, S., Polat, S., & Ünlü, N. (2025). Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey. Selcuk Dental Journal, 12(4), 17-24. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1675725
AMA
1.Velioğlu MS, Özdemir S, Polat S, Ünlü N. Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey. Selcuk Dent J. 2025;12(4):17-24. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1675725
Chicago
Velioğlu, Mehmet Semih, Sinem Özdemir, Serkan Polat, and Nimet Ünlü. 2025. “Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey”. Selcuk Dental Journal 12 (4): 17-24. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1675725.
EndNote
Velioğlu MS, Özdemir S, Polat S, Ünlü N (September 1, 2025) Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey. Selcuk Dental Journal 12 4 17–24.
IEEE
[1]M. S. Velioğlu, S. Özdemir, S. Polat, and N. Ünlü, “Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey”, Selcuk Dent J, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 17–24, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.15311/selcukdentj.1675725.
ISNAD
Velioğlu, Mehmet Semih - Özdemir, Sinem - Polat, Serkan - Ünlü, Nimet. “Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey”. Selcuk Dental Journal 12/4 (September 1, 2025): 17-24. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1675725.
JAMA
1.Velioğlu MS, Özdemir S, Polat S, Ünlü N. Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey. Selcuk Dent J. 2025;12:17–24.
MLA
Velioğlu, Mehmet Semih, et al. “Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey”. Selcuk Dental Journal, vol. 12, no. 4, Sept. 2025, pp. 17-24, doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1675725.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Semih Velioğlu, Sinem Özdemir, Serkan Polat, Nimet Ünlü. Student-Centered Education in Dentistry: Perspectives of Students and Academicians in Turkey. Selcuk Dent J. 2025 Sep. 1;12(4):17-24. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1675725