title: The influence of a learning object with virtual simulation for dentistry: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to evaluate the influence of virtual learning object (VLO) in the theoretical knowledge and skill practice of undergraduate dentistry students as it relates to zinc phosphate cement (ZPC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Only students enrolled in the dentistry course the course were included in the trial. Forty-six students received a live class regarding ZPC and were randomized by electronic sorting into the following 4 groups: VLO Immediate (GIVLOn=9), VLO longitudinal (GLVLOn=15) and two control groups without VLO (GICn=9 and GLCn=13). The immediate groups had access to VLO or a book for 20 min before the ability assessment, whereas the longitudinal groups had access to VLO or a book for 15 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A pre- and posttest on theoretical knowledge and two laboratory skill tests, evaluated by blinded examiners, were performed regarding zinc phosphate cement manipulation in all groups. The students who used the VLO obtained better results in all the tests performed than the control students. The theoretical posttest showed a significant difference between the longitudinal groups, GLC (6.0 ± 1.15) and GLVLO (7.33 ± 1.43). The lower film thickness presented with a significant difference in the VLO groups: (GIC 25 ± 9.3) and GIVLO (16.24 ± 5.17); GLC (50 ± 27.08) and GLVLO (22.5±9.65). The higher setting time occurred in the VLO groups, and the immediate group showed a significant difference (GIC 896 ± 218.90) and GIVLO (1138.5 ± 177.95).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ZPC manipulated by the students who used the VLO had better mechanical properties in the laboratory tests. Therefore, the groups that used the VLO had clinical handling skills superior to its controls and greater retention of knowledge after 15 days.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Materiais Dentários, Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do, Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2492-4o andar, Laboratório de Materiais Dentários-Bairro Rio Branco, Porto Alegre CEP: 90035-004, Brazil. Electronic address: rodrigo.tubelo@ufrgs.br.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Alves
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Tubelo
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Materiais Dentários, Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do, Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2492-4o andar, Laboratório de Materiais Dentários-Bairro Rio Branco, Porto Alegre CEP: 90035-004, Brazil. Electronic address: vicente.leitune@ufrgs.br.
authors.forename: Vicente Leitune Castelo
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Branco
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ensino em Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245/212-Bairro Centro, Porto Alegre CEP: 90050-170, Brazil. Electronic address: adahmer@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dahmer
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Materiais Dentários, Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do, Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2492-4o andar, Laboratório de Materiais Dentários-Bairro Rio Branco, Porto Alegre CEP: 90035-004, Brazil. Electronic address: 00005598@ufrgs.br.
authors.forename: Susana Maria Werner
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Materiais Dentários, Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do, Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2492-4o andar, Laboratório de Materiais Dentários-Bairro Rio Branco, Porto Alegre CEP: 90035-004, Brazil. Electronic address: fabricio.collares@ufrgs.br.
authors.forename: Fabrício Mezzomo
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Collares
mesh_terms: D003813:Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008137:Longitudinal Studies
keywords: Dental materials; E-learning; Virtual learning object; Virtual reality; Zinc phosphate