Changes in the perception of dental education environment in 2020, 2022, and 2024 among students at the national university of Laos

Purpose: In pursuit of international cooperation, this study aims to investigate changes in the educational environment at Laos dental college during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) was administered to students at Laos dental college in 2020, 2022, and 2024 to assess their perceptions of the educational environment. A total of 213, 314, and 133 students participated in the surveys for each respective year. The data allowed us to compare students’ perceptions across years and among different groups.Results: Overall, the DREEM scores were lowest in 2022 but increased again in 2024. When comparing results by academic year, first- and second-year students exhibited an increase in 2022, whereas third- and fourth-year as well as fifth- and sixth-year students recorded their lowest scores in that year.Conclusion: This study highlights the need to diversify clinical education approaches in response not only to the pandemic but also to evolving changes in the healthcare environment.