Evaluation of Oral Histology Curriculum: Insights From Saudi Dental School Students—A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND Evaluating the oral histology curriculum offers critical insights into effective teaching strategies and curriculum design to optimize learning outcomes. This study examines the strengths and weaknesses of the current oral histology curriculum and explores teaching and learning methods em...

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Main Authors: Madawi Faisal Alkeheli, Ibrahim Saleh Akeel, Osamah Abdulelah Alsulimani, Khadijah Bagazi, Alaa Jameel Kabbarah, Hisham I. Othman, Aliaa O. Lotfy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/23821205251327288
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author Madawi Faisal Alkeheli
Ibrahim Saleh Akeel
Osamah Abdulelah Alsulimani
Khadijah Bagazi
Alaa Jameel Kabbarah
Hisham I. Othman
Aliaa O. Lotfy
author_facet Madawi Faisal Alkeheli
Ibrahim Saleh Akeel
Osamah Abdulelah Alsulimani
Khadijah Bagazi
Alaa Jameel Kabbarah
Hisham I. Othman
Aliaa O. Lotfy
author_sort Madawi Faisal Alkeheli
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND Evaluating the oral histology curriculum offers critical insights into effective teaching strategies and curriculum design to optimize learning outcomes. This study examines the strengths and weaknesses of the current oral histology curriculum and explores teaching and learning methods employed in a Saudi dental school from the students’ perspective, offering recommendations for future curriculum enhancements. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 80 students (40 males and 40 females) who attended oral histology lectures and lab sessions at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, during the 2022-2023 academic year. A pre-structured and pre-tested online questionnaire comprising 24 questions, divided into 7 sections to cover different aspects of the oral histology course, was used. Descriptive statistical analysis of responses was conducted using SPSS version 26. RESULTS The study revealed a strong consensus on the importance of the course, with high levels of agreement regarding the clarity of objectives (72%) and course organization (69%). High engagement levels were noted in both class and lab sessions, with a preference for diverse teaching methods. Male and female participants agreed on the difficulty but recognized the critical importance of the oral histology course. However, opinions varied on teaching methods that encourage participation ( P  = .0001), continuous assessments ( P  = .004), and class attendance ( P  = .030). Most aspects of the course showed no significant gender differences. CONCLUSION This study highlights the need for refinement in the oral histology curriculum, focusing on enhanced teaching methods and gender-specific participation and assessment needs. Improving continuous assessments, attendance strategies, and interactive learning approaches can further boost student engagement and optimize educational outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-eacf913570d34f538b2112acee85f2832025-08-20T02:55:49ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Medical Education and Curricular Development2382-12052025-03-011210.1177/23821205251327288Evaluation of Oral Histology Curriculum: Insights From Saudi Dental School Students—A Cross-Sectional StudyMadawi Faisal Alkeheli0Ibrahim Saleh Akeel1Osamah Abdulelah Alsulimani2Khadijah Bagazi3Alaa Jameel Kabbarah4Hisham I. Othman5Aliaa O. Lotfy6 Oral Diagnostic Sciences Department, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Oral Diagnostic Sciences Department, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Oral Diagnostic Sciences Department, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Oral Diagnostic Sciences Department, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Department of Dental Public Health, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Dental Anatomy and Oral Histology Division, Oral Diagnostic Sciences Department, , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Oral Diagnostic Sciences Department, , Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaBACKGROUND Evaluating the oral histology curriculum offers critical insights into effective teaching strategies and curriculum design to optimize learning outcomes. This study examines the strengths and weaknesses of the current oral histology curriculum and explores teaching and learning methods employed in a Saudi dental school from the students’ perspective, offering recommendations for future curriculum enhancements. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 80 students (40 males and 40 females) who attended oral histology lectures and lab sessions at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, during the 2022-2023 academic year. A pre-structured and pre-tested online questionnaire comprising 24 questions, divided into 7 sections to cover different aspects of the oral histology course, was used. Descriptive statistical analysis of responses was conducted using SPSS version 26. RESULTS The study revealed a strong consensus on the importance of the course, with high levels of agreement regarding the clarity of objectives (72%) and course organization (69%). High engagement levels were noted in both class and lab sessions, with a preference for diverse teaching methods. Male and female participants agreed on the difficulty but recognized the critical importance of the oral histology course. However, opinions varied on teaching methods that encourage participation ( P  = .0001), continuous assessments ( P  = .004), and class attendance ( P  = .030). Most aspects of the course showed no significant gender differences. CONCLUSION This study highlights the need for refinement in the oral histology curriculum, focusing on enhanced teaching methods and gender-specific participation and assessment needs. Improving continuous assessments, attendance strategies, and interactive learning approaches can further boost student engagement and optimize educational outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1177/23821205251327288
spellingShingle Madawi Faisal Alkeheli
Ibrahim Saleh Akeel
Osamah Abdulelah Alsulimani
Khadijah Bagazi
Alaa Jameel Kabbarah
Hisham I. Othman
Aliaa O. Lotfy
Evaluation of Oral Histology Curriculum: Insights From Saudi Dental School Students—A Cross-Sectional Study
Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development
title Evaluation of Oral Histology Curriculum: Insights From Saudi Dental School Students—A Cross-Sectional Study
title_full Evaluation of Oral Histology Curriculum: Insights From Saudi Dental School Students—A Cross-Sectional Study
title_fullStr Evaluation of Oral Histology Curriculum: Insights From Saudi Dental School Students—A Cross-Sectional Study
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Oral Histology Curriculum: Insights From Saudi Dental School Students—A Cross-Sectional Study
title_short Evaluation of Oral Histology Curriculum: Insights From Saudi Dental School Students—A Cross-Sectional Study
title_sort evaluation of oral histology curriculum insights from saudi dental school students a cross sectional study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/23821205251327288
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