title: Case-based learning: A study to ascertain the effectiveness in enhancing the knowledge among interns of an Indian dental institute.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Time and again, it has been shown that active learning promotes critical thinking, and this environment has to be fostered in dental education too. Therefore, the present study was carried out with an aim to know the effectiveness of case-based learning (CBL) in enhancing the knowledge of dental interns of a dental institute in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pre-post single-blinded, experimental study was conducted in two sessions on a purposive sample of 45 dental interns who gave informed consent. The interns answered a pretest questionnaire comprising questions related to their knowledge of hyperplastic tissue in complete denture patients. The interns were randomly allocated into three subgroups for thorough discussion. Each group viewed all three parts of a case related to hyperplastic tissue and presented the case in the presence of a facilitator. The facilitator discussed the subject with the three subgroups. A post-test was conducted immediately, and the results were compared with the pretest. The facilitator explained about hyperplastic tissue with an audio-visual aid after the post-test was administered. The perception of interns toward CBL was assessed by a standard questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On analysis, the comparison of the overall knowledge scores pre- and post-CBL showed a statistically significant increase from 9.8 ± 2.14 to 12.6 ± 1.37 (P< 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBL proved to be effective in enhancing the knowledge of dental interns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shigli
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Y B
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Aswini
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Deepti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fulari
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Banashree
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sankeshwari
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Dayanand
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huddar
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vikneshan
keywords: Case-based learning; hyperplastic tissue; problem-based learning; prosthodontics; small group teaching