Different study conditions between dental students in China and Japan.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare the study conditions of dental students towards dental education in China and Japan. METHODS 60 students from the Stomatology School of China Medical University and 51 students from the Dental Faculty of Kyushu University, Japan, participated in this study. Information was derived from a self-answered questionnaire consisting of 10 items. RESULTS More Japanese students (60%) compared to Chinese students (28%) were satisfied with their lives in dental school. For the main reason of discontent, 23.5% of the Japanese students attributed to busy study and lacking of spare time, while 38.3% of the Chinese students indicated small campus lacking of infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS Both students of two countries think they were in big pressure. The main stressor of Japanese students was the examination, but that of Chinese students was anxiety of their future and obtains employment. The main source of tuition and maintenance was family in the both countries, but more Japanese students (25.5%) were dependent on scholarship compared with Chinese students (3.3%). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The findings from this study enhance our understanding of study conditions among dental students and help to define strategies to improve student management in both Japan and China.