title: Can evaluation of a dental procedure at the outset of learning predict later performance at the preclinical level? A pilot study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of conventional pre-clinical training in dentistry and to determine if evaluation of a dental procedure at the beginning of dental training can be a predictor for future performance. A group of second year dental students with no previous experience in operative dentistry were asked to prepare a conventional class I cavity on a lower first molar typodont. Their first preparation was carried out after an introductory lecture and a demonstration and their second at the end of conventional training. The prepared typodonts were coded and blindly scored for the traditional assessment criteria of outline form, retention form, smoothness, cavity depth and cavity margin angulation. Once the codes were broken, a paired t-test was used to compare the difference between the means of before and after scores (P<0.0001) and a Pearson's linear correlation to test the association (r=0.4). From the results of this study, we could conclude that conventional preclinical training results in a significant improvement in the manual skills of the dental students and that the dental procedure used had only a limited predictive value for later performance at the preclinical level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology, Dublin Dental School and Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. ioannis.polyzois@dental.tcd.ie
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Polyzois
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Claffey
authors.forename: Albhe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hussey
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quinn
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000145:classification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education*; D004497:Education, Dental; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008963:Molar; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods