Table 4 Results of the questionnaire on the effects of the competition on undergraduate dental education

Q1. The competition encourages colleges to attach more attention to the training of students’ clinical skills.

7.63 ± 2.03*

9.03 ± 1.30

9.02 ± 1.09

8.82 ± 1.37

0.000

Q2. The competition encourages colleges to attach more attention to the teaching of students’ theoretical knowledge.

6.91 ± 2.15*

8.33 ± 1.67

8.17 ± 1.65

8.01 ± 1.78

0.004

Q3. The competition improves the participating students’ clinical skills.

8.44 ± 1.64*

9.17 ± 1.44

9.24 ± 1.00

9.12 ± 1.20

0.016

Q4. The competition improves the participating students’ theoretical knowledge.

7.69 ± 2.09**

8.20 ± 1.35

8.60 ± 1.53**

8.42 ± 1.62

0.019

Q5. The competition helps develop collegiality and teamwork among participating students.

8.94 ± 1.32

9.47 ± 0.97

9.06 ± 1.30

9.10 ± 1.27

0.132

Q6. The competition helps expand domestic or international communication and broaden mind among participants.

8.16 ± 2.05

9.17 ± 1.29

8.68 ± 1.57

8.67 ± 1.62

0.070

Q7. The competition promotes the improvement of teaching resources (e.g., purchasing and updating equipment, models or experimental materials, etc.)

8.19 ± 1.40*

8.93 ± 1.26

8.78 ± 1.52

8.72 ± 1.48

0.023

Q8. The competition promotes the improvement of faculty training and encouragement (e.g., providing teachers with training opportunities, increasing teaching subsidies, or offering teaching rewards).

7.31 ± 2.18

7.70 ± 1.68

 N/A

7.50 ± 1.95

0.438

Q9. During the event, the one-to-one liaison (junior dental student volunteers) arranged by the organizer provides professional and timely solutions to competition-related issues.

9.06 ± 1.22

9.50 ± 0.94

9.28 ± 1.28

9.28 ± 1.23

0.177

Q10. Precompetition training or selection improves the clinical skills of all students (not limited to the participating students).

6.78 ± 2.70

7.60 ± 1.65

 N/A

7.18 ± 2.27

0.158

Q11. Precompetition training or selection improves the theoretical knowledge of all students (not limited to the participating students).

6.66 ± 2.36

7.40 ± 1.92

 N/A

7.02 ± 2.18

0.181

Q12. Overall evaluation of the Guanghua Cup (formerly known as the South China Cup)

8.69 ± 1.38*

9.37 ± 0.93

8.89 ± 1.03

8.93 ± 1.10

0.032