Ranking of Iranian Dental Schools with Postgraduate Courses

Improving educational quality is considered as one of the priorities of higher educational system. From this point of view, ranking of dental schools with postgraduate courses was done to evaluate and compare scientific level and Strengths and weaknesses of these centres.The purpose of this study was to evaluate and design a new pattern of ranking of dental schools according to the level of their education, research and equipment.
An expertise committee was formed and ranking design was performed with brainstorming method. A representative was chosen from each specialist’s organization for observation of dental schools and completing the questionnaires related to educational, research and equipment’s status. Data were collected and scores were calculated in each index. For the final analysis of the data, a specialized-designed software for ranking purpose was used.
According to Analytical Hierarchy process the considered indices in dental schools were assessed and compared. 395 criterions were determined and the tree diagram was created and 16 dental schools with postgraduate course were ranked.
Strengths and weaknesses of education, research and equipment were determined in postgraduate courses in each dental school and were delivered to the university rectors as a practical pattern for improving quality and quantity of education.