title: Evaluation of two different approaches to learning shade matching in dentistry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An important aspect of dental education is teaching and learning shade matching.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the success of two different strategies for learning shade matching.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-one pre-clinical students (mean age 23; 33.3% men) were divided into two groups. One group (TTB) formed teams of two and they matched three pre-determined teeth on each other using the 3D-Master shade guide. After this exercise, they learned shade matching using a standardized device (Tooth Guide Training Box, TTB) by matching shade tabs in an artificial environment. The other group (GL) matched tooth color in a pre-defined clinical setting in groups of four students. After this, they matched the same teeth as before training, again in groups of two, similarly to group TTB. The reference tooth color was determined by two experienced prosthodontic clinicians. The L*a*b* values for the tabs were provided by the manufacturer and the color difference (ΔE(ab)) between the chosen tab and the reference was calculated. Linear general estimation equation models were used for statistical evaluation (p = 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the TTB group, the difference between ΔE(ab) values before and after training was 0.03, which was not significant (p = 0.927; 95% CI: -0.70/0.77). In the GL group, ΔE(ab) was 0.98 smaller after training, which was significant (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.50/1.50).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ability to match tooth color could be improved by using a group-learning approach in a clinical setting and implementation of such a training session should be considered in undergraduate and postgraduate dental education.
authors.affiliation: University of Heidelberg, Dental School, Department of Prosthodontics, Heidelberg, Germany. nicoleta.corcodel@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Nicoleta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Corcodel
authors.forename: Efstathios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karatzogiannis
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rammelsberg
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hassel
mesh_terms: D003116:Color / Q000592:standards*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003479:Curriculum; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education*; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D017797:Prosthesis Coloring / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software; D055815:Young Adult