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

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.