Research

Determining priorities for evaluation accreditation to assess dental hygiene education programs

Chang-Hee Kim   Mi-Gyung Seong   Sun-Mi Lee*   

Department of Dental Hygiene, Chungcheong University
1Department of Dental Hygiene, Masan University
2Department of Dental Hygiene, Dongnam Health University

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review the systems used to evaluate dental hygiene education and to establish priorities for the evaluation index for accreditation to enhance competitiveness and facilitate quality control of dental hygiene education. Methods: A survey of priorities for accreditation evaluation was developed based on input from professors at 43 universities. Data were analyzed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process method with Expert Choice 2000 software. Results: The relative importance of each evaluation area, ranked in descending order, was as follows: vision and operating system; administration and finances; facilities and equipment; educational outcomes; professors; educational process; and students. The importance of the evaluation part was highest in field training at the education process part and scholarship at the student part. The importance after applying complex weights was highest in establishing a development plan for the vision and operating system. Conclusions: Practical accreditation evaluation based on objectivity and validity is needed to control the quality of dental hygiene education. Therefore, priorities in accreditation evaluation standard must be determined to establish a basis for quality improvement in education at dental hygiene departments.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. Importance of evaluation area