Evaluating Virtual Education Quality: Insights from Dental Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aim This study aims to evaluate the quality of virtual education in dental training during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on student satisfaction and teaching effectiveness at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences Dental Faculty. Background The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid transition to virtual education, impacting various educational sectors, including dental training. While online learning has provided a solution to maintain educational continuity, it has also raised concerns about its effectiveness in imparting practical skills essential for dental professionals. This study seeks to understand how dental students perceive their virtual education experience during this unprecedented time. Objective The objective of the study is to assess student satisfaction and identify gaps in virtual education. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with 112 dental students during the 2022-2023 academic year. Participants were selected based on their GPA and willingness to participate. Data were collected using Marsh's 21-question questionnaire, which was distributed electronically. The study adhered to ethical standards, ensuring informed consent from all participants. The minimum sample size was assured and established at 94 students. The descriptive analysis of mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative variables and frequency and percent for categorical variables. Independent t-test and the nonparametric tests of Manwitney-U and Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA were used for quantitative variables, and chi-square and analysis of variance were used to compare and analyze the qualitative data. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS software version 25 (IBM, New York, NY, USA) with a significance level of 0.05. Results The findings revealed a generally favorable perception of virtual education among students, with average scores in all dimensions exceeding acceptable levels. Notably, students in endodontics and oral diseases rated their professors higher than those in restorative dentistry and pediatric dentistry (p<0.05). The mean scores in the groups of endodontics and oral diseases were higher than in other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion Overall, students expressed a positive attitude toward the quality of virtual education, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing learning outcomes. Continuous improvement efforts are recommended to further enhance teaching quality and adapt to the evolving educational landscape.