Journal of International Dental and Medical Research ISSN 1309-100X Postgraduate Satisfaction and Expectations http://www.jidmr.com Alizae Marny Fadzlin Syed Mohamed Volume ∙ 14 ∙ Number ∙ 3 ∙ 2021 Page 1093 Orthodontic Postgraduates Satisfactions and Expectations: A Qualitative Study Alizae Marny Fadzlin Syed Mohamed 1 *, Balqis Zulkiflie 2 , Tanti Irawati Rosli 3 1. Discipline of Orthodontics, Department of Family Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2. Chini Dental Clinic, Pusat Kesihatan Chini, Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia. 3. Discipline of Dental Public Health, Department of Family Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Abstract Postgraduate orthodontic education is very challenging. Evaluation of the postgraduate experience and feedback on the orthodontic education they received during their training years is essential to improve the quality of education available. In this study, we aimed to investigate the experience of orthodontic postgraduate students with their programmes and determine the scope of their training. A one-to-one interview was performed with nine students covering a selected topic that has been determined before the interview. The recorded interview was transcribed and categorized by different themes; overall satisfaction with the programme, scope of educational training, clinical experiences concerning the treatment of patients, and professional behavioural intentions in the student's career pathways. The responses reflected students’ responses to questions asked about curriculum and overall satisfaction with the orthodontic programme. They indicated that they received a sufficient amount of formal didactic teaching and clinical sessions with research-based training. Some issues with teaching and learning including programme organization, facilities, clinical support staff, treatment techniques, and curriculum were highlighted. In general, students were satisfied with the programme and suggested improvements on the library resources, financial and clinical assistance. Clinical article (J Int Dent Med Res 2021; 14(3): 1093-1099) Keywords: Orthodontic, Postgraduates, Satisfactions, Expectations, Qualitative. Received date: 27 February 2021 Accept date: 18 June 2021 Introduction Currently, three major training centres are offering postgraduate orthodontics education in Malaysia, for the length of four years with clinical and research studies. This is parallel with the qualification requirement by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). This orthodontic programme is to educate dentists to become orthodontists with a solid theoretical and scientific background also adequate clinical experience in orthodontic treatment. Emphasis is placed on developing scientific thinking skills needed for long-life learning and problem solving through a variety of clinical orthodontics cases and a compulsory research component. Orthodontics education involves the active involvement of the learners. This is a process of engaging with the learning task at both the cognitive and affective level, in an attempt to foster and develop learning skills for life. This will encourage the students to find information independently, share it within the group, and select the information that can be used to solve the clinical problems. These require a deep level of processing that enhances knowledge to be retained in a long term. 1,2 An orthodontic programme needs to cope with the challenges to address the implications of such changes for the student learning experience with the development of a competent, knowledgeable, and competitive human capital. They have to overcome the challenges of enhancing their relevant clinical knowledge and skills to higher levels that adapt along with the discoveries in biology and the innovations in technology. 3 *Corresponding author: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alizae Marny Fadzlin Syed Mohamed, Discipline of Orthodontics, Department of Family Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abd Aziz 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. E-mail: alizaemarny@ukm.edu.my