ABSTRACT
Objectives: to compare the study length between the departmental (DP) and integrated (IT) systems in the dental clinical program. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical analysis was conducted on clinical dental students, categorizing the duration of study as either less than or more than 6 semesters. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 1,010 subjects were analyzed, with 486 from the DP system and 524 from the IT system. The mean study length in the DP system was 6.29±1.46 semesters, while in the IT system it was 7.79±1.20 semesters. A significant difference in the study length was found between the groups (p<0.01). Various factors might influence the study length in both systems, such as curriculum quality, assessment methods, student quality and quantity, the number of lecturers, and available facilities. Conclusion: The departmental system is likely more efficient regarding the study length in the clinical dental program.
