Students’ perceptions of educational climate in a new dental college using the DREEM tool

Chitraa R Chandran, Rakesh Ranjan Department of Periodontics, Tagore Dental College and Hospitals, Tamil Nadu, IndiaAim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate students’ perceptions of conditions prevailing in Tagore Dental College.Methods: Data were collected from all students enrolled in 2013, using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) forms filled in by them. For this exercise, prior approval from the Tagore Dental College Ethics Committee was obtained.Results: The global score for EC was 124 (interpretation: predominantly positive). The scores obtained in the different domains were 31.03 in Learning (interpretation: a more positive perception); 26.69 in Teachers (interpretation: moving in the right direction); 21.48 in Academics (interpretation: feeling more in the positive side); 28.23 in Atmosphere (interpretation: a more positive atmosphere); and 16.52 in Social (interpretation: acceptable), all the points indicate that the institution is moving in the right direction. The DREEM score assigned by female students was significantly greater (P=0.048) than that assigned by male students. The second-year students were more positive in their perception of EC than students of the other classes.Conclusion: Overall, Tagore Dental College students felt the EC to be acceptable. Admittedly, some areas need to be revisited to make improvements.Keywords: educational climate, DREEM scale, students' perception, learning environment