title: [Application of animal models in gingival retraction experimental curriculum].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce a teaching method for gingival retraction, and evaluate its efficacy for implementation into experimental curricula.
  
  
  METHODS
  First, two kinds of animal models using pigs and cows (below 6 months of age) were established. Twenty-two experienced prosthodontists were then asked to apply gingival retraction on each animal model and evaluate the biofidelity of the 2 models' dento-gingival environment. The data was analyzed with SPSS19.0 software package for paired t test.Then, eighty pre-internship students were randomly divided into 2 groups. Besides the traditional teaching (lecture-based teaching), the experimental group (group A) also had access to skill training (using animal models to practice gingival retraction), while the control group (group B) only used the traditional teaching modality. All students' performance in gingival retraction and impression taking were evaluated in their internship. The data was analyzed with SPSS19.0 software package for Chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both pig and cow's dento-gingival environment were similar to that of human being, and there was no significant difference between the two models'biofidelities (P>0.05). In addition, both the effect of gingival retraction and the quality of impression in group A were significantly better than those in group B (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with the traditional strategy,practising gingival retraction on animal models can offer greater opportunities for skill development,and be implemented for a wider range of applications.
authors.affiliation: West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University. Chengdu 610041,China. E-mail:caihe@foxmail.com.
authors.forename: He
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University. Chengdu 610041,China.
authors.forename: Shu-ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University. Chengdu 610041,China.
authors.forename: Yong-xiang
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University. Chengdu 610041,China.
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University. Chengdu 610041,China.
authors.forename: Shan-shan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University. Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003479:Curriculum; D005881:Gingiva; D060745:Gingival Retraction Techniques; D023421:Models, Animal; D013552:Swine