title: Utilization of blended learning to teach preclinical endodontics.
abstract: Blended learning (BL) is the integration of classroom learning with an online environment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dental students who experienced BL in a preclinical endodontic course demonstrated better manual skills, conceptual knowledge, and learning experience compared to those experiencing traditional learning. All eighty-one students (100 percent) in a preclinical endodontics course agreed to participate and were assigned to either the traditional or BL group. A root canal procedure was used to determine the level of manual skills gained by each group. Pre- and post-intervention quizzes were given to all students to evaluate conceptual knowledge gained, and the students' perspectives on the methods were evaluated with a survey. The BL group scored better than the traditional group on the manual skills exercise at a statistically significant level (p=0.0067). There were no differences in the post-intervention quiz scores between the two groups, and the students' opinions were positive regarding BL. With BL, the students were able to learn and demonstrate dental skills at a high level.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Maresca is a graduate resident, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Barrero is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Duggan is Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Platin is Clinical Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Rivera is Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Hannum is Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education; and Mr. Petrola is Research Assistant, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maresca
authors.affiliation: Dr. Maresca is a graduate resident, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Barrero is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Duggan is Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Platin is Clinical Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Rivera is Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Hannum is Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education; and Mr. Petrola is Research Assistant, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. carlos_barrero@dentistry.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barrero
authors.affiliation: Dr. Maresca is a graduate resident, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Barrero is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Duggan is Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Platin is Clinical Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Rivera is Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Hannum is Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education; and Mr. Petrola is Research Assistant, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Dereck
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duggan
authors.affiliation: Dr. Maresca is a graduate resident, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Barrero is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Duggan is Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Platin is Clinical Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Rivera is Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Hannum is Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education; and Mr. Petrola is Research Assistant, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Platin
authors.affiliation: Dr. Maresca is a graduate resident, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Barrero is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Duggan is Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Platin is Clinical Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Rivera is Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Hannum is Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education; and Mr. Petrola is Research Assistant, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.affiliation: Dr. Maresca is a graduate resident, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Barrero is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Duggan is Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Platin is Clinical Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Rivera is Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Hannum is Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education; and Mr. Petrola is Research Assistant, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Wallace
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hannum
authors.affiliation: Dr. Maresca is a graduate resident, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Barrero is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Duggan is Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Platin is Clinical Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Rivera is Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry; Dr. Hannum is Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education; and Mr. Petrola is Research Assistant, Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petrola
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004497:Education, Dental; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D004708:Endodontics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D009048:Motor Skills; D009657:North Carolina; D009862:Online Systems; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods; D012649:Self Concept; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
keywords: blended learning; dental education; endodontics; teaching methodology