Institutional Readiness for Orofacial Laserology Education in Thailand: A National Cross-Sectional Survey of Dental Schools.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Orofacial laserology is being increasingly incorporated into contemporary dental practice, yet its integration into dental education remains inconsistent. National evidence regarding institutional readiness for integrating orofacial laserology into dental curricula remains limited. This study examined the current status of orofacial laserology education in Thailand. METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and July 2026 among all accredited Thai dental schools. Academic leaders and full-time lecturers completed a structured online questionnaire addressing curriculum implementation, educational delivery, competency assessment, institutional readiness, perceived barriers, and future priorities. Descriptive and non-parametric statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Fifteen of 18 dental schools (83.3%) participated, yielding 38 respondents. Undergraduate orofacial laserology education showed limited curricular integration, whereas postgraduate programs demonstrated broader implementation, particularly in hands-on, supervised clinical, and competency-based training. Institutional readiness did not differ between academic leaders and full-time lecturers (p > 0.05). Across historical phases of institutional establishment, perceived importance (p = 0.743) and interinstitutional collaboration (p = 0.800) were comparable, whereas institutional readiness differed significantly (p = 0.008), with regional pioneer dental schools reporting higher readiness than expansion-phase and contemporary dental schools. The principal barriers were insufficient qualified instructors, limited curriculum integration, and high equipment costs. Faculty development, funding and equipment support, and national competency frameworks were identified as the highest priorities. CONCLUSIONS: Orofacial laserology education in Thailand remains heterogeneous, with broader implementation in postgraduate than undergraduate programs. Strengthening faculty capacity, competency-based curricula, institutional support, and national collaboration may facilitate more consistent integration of orofacial laserology into dental curricula.