Annals and Essences of Dentistry
Open Access
ISSN: 0975-8798, 0976-156X
ISSN: 0975-8798, 0976-156X
Orkideh Radmehr, Salmeh Kalbassi and Maziar Khatami*
Purpose: No previous studies have assessed the effect of taking theoretical quizzes before teaching the practical skills on manual dexterity and practical dental anatomy (or any other clinical skills). Therefore, this study was conducted for the first time.
Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial of crossover nature was performed on 66 subjects. Thirty-three dental students studying at fourth semester were enrolled. Each of them acted as both experimental and control subjects, due to the crossover design (n=66, 33+33). The control group included students who did not give theoretical tests. The experimental group were informed that they would give theoretical tests every week in a particular day. Each theoretical quiz included four questions from taught materials regarding hints of practical dental morphology. Both groups gave mid-term quizzes regarding anterior and premolar teeth. Afterward, control/experimental groups swapped places. Again, students were routinely evaluated regarding the carving of molar teeth (mid-term) and in the final term exam (any tooth). Learning was measured by evaluating the ‘practical morphology’ scores of students. The groups were compared using Wilcoxon signed ranks test (α=0.05).
Results: Mean practical morphology scores were 16.64 ± 1.7 in the control group and 17.46 ± 1.27 in the experimental group. This difference was significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: It was shown for the first time that taking regular theoretical tests before teaching practical material might improve students’ practical manual dexterity and carving skills.
Published Date: 2024-12-30; Received Date: 2023-08-14