Evaluation of the unified pre-health sciences program by

dental students and interns in the College of Dentistry,

King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saleh M. Al-Shamrani, BDS, MS
College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Newly admitted dental students in the College of Dentistry, King Saud University (CDKSU) are required in their first year to complete a unified core program consisting of courses in english, organic and general chemistry, physics, biostatistics, and biology.  The purpose of this study was to analyze the evaluation of the unified program by the junior and senior dental students and interns in CDKSU. Eighty-nine dental students and fifty-one interns were asked to complete a questionnaire that assessed their opinion and attitudes toward the unified program.  Results showed that 60.7% of the students and 58.8% of the interns thought the unified program was important.  Also, more than 60% of both groups reported that the unified program was necessary.  No statistical differences were found between dental students and interns.  A significant difference was found between the male and female students in their response to the learning outcomes and the number of the unified program courses.  It is concluded that the unified program is beneficial to dental students.  Furthermore, the gender of the students and interns appeared to influence their attitudes toward the unified program.  Further studies are needed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the unified program as they are important to optimize its benefits.

Saudi Dental Journal 2002;14(1):3-6.