Factors Related to Academic Achievement of Dental Students in Babol University of Medical Sciences: A Ten Years Trend (1993-2002)

Introduction: Qualitative promotion in medical education is one of the prerequisites for training skillful physicians in order to improve the level of community health. Evaluation as an effective tool can be widely used to review educational systems. This study aimed to assess a ten years educational trend of dental students in Babol University of Medical Sciences and the probable related factors. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on graduate dental students of Babol University of Medical Sciences through 10 years. They were admitted to dental school of Babol through National Entrance Examinations of years 1993 to 2002 and then graduated. Data was collected via questionnaire including age, gender, marital status, accommodation status, time interval between graduation from high school and entering university, diploma grade point average (DGPA), average score of basic science courses, score of comprehensive exam of basic sciences, and the average score of clinical science courses for each student. Data was analyzed using t-test and ANOVA. Results: From 170 eligible dental students, 111 (65%) were female, 105 (62%) were single, and 76 (45%) were citizens of Babol. Mean of the average of basic science courses’ scores and the mean score of comprehensive examination of basic sciences among female students was significantly higher than those of male students (α≤0.05). No significant difference was observed in the student grades considering the students' marital and accommodation status. Moreover, the mean of average scores of basic science courses for students who entered university immediately after getting high school diploma was higher than other groups. In addition, the mean of basic sciences comprehensive exam scores in this group was significantly higher than that of other groups (p≤0.001). Conclusion: With regard to academic failure in primary years of entering university among students who spent at least 2 years interval between graduation from high school and entrance to university, a strategy should be provided to reduce this time interval. Furthermore, since this academic failure is higher among male students during primary years of higher education, study motivation should be improved in them.