Objective

2

To investigate the current status and problems of the development of dental technology specialty in higher vocational colleges in China

and to provide a reference for the establishment of national standards for vocational education on dental technology and the development of high-quality higher vocational education.

Methods

2

We selected 54 higher vocational colleges in eastern

central

and western China offering dental technology programs by stratified random sampling to survey the specialty development situation using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the independent samples

t

test

one-way analysis of variance

or chi-square test with the use of SPSS 18.0.

Results

2

Among the surveyed colleges

the average annual enrollment scale in recent three years was 6 415 students

with the largest enrollment in western regions

accounting for 47.39%. In terms of teaching faculty

there were differences in educational attainment

professional title structure

vocational qualification

and professional background between different regions (

P

<

0.05). Regarding training conditions

only 26.42% and 3.77% of colleges were equipped with virtual simulation training rooms and dental materials training rooms

respectively; and 18.52% and 22.22% of colleges were equipped with chairside repair systems and virtual simulation software

respectively.

Conclusions

2

Regional imbalances exist in the development of dental technology specialty in higher vocational colleges in China. The overall level of teaching staff

practical training conditions

and curriculum construction need to be improved.