Influence of structured reporting of tooth-colored indirect restorations on clinical decision-making

The aim of the present study was to discover what influence structured reporting (study group = A) of toothcoloured lab-fabricated restorations has on clinical decision-making following international guidelines. By way of comparison, the conventional approach in the form of short reporting with 5 items (control group = B) was used as gold standard. The study was carried out in the first clinical semester of dentistry (n = 68) at the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main. In the study group, indirect ceramic restorations were assessed on a scale of 1 (very good) to 5 (insufficient) using structured reporting (7 items, each with 5 subgroups) in accordance to World Dental Federation (FDI) - standards. Following this, the clinical decision on the insertion of the restoration was made. To evaluate the quality of the structured reporting, sensitivity, specificity, confidence intervals (Cl) and the respective predictive values (positive = PPV, negative= NPV) were determined. Based on FDI reporting, a ceramic inlay is also favored with a great degree of certainty in clinical decisions: this was the true in 34 procedures out of a total of 38 clinically incorporated ceramic inlays [sensitivity 67% (95% CI: 46%83%); specificity 89% (95% Cl: 75%-97%); PPV 82%, NPV 79%]. In the control group, sensitivity was 56% (95% CI: 35%-75%); specificity 92% (95% CI: 79%-98%); PPV 83%, NPV 74%. No significant differences could be determined between A and B (p = 0.813)

Peer-based dental composite training course

This multivariate, prospective, monocentric, observational pilot study evaluates the experimental acceptance and feasibility of a peer-based course concept. Those both theoretical and practical workshops were offered to dentistry students in all clinical semesters on a voluntary basis. In 9 courses a total of 45 students took part in small learning groups (n = up to 12 students). For the evaluation a questionnaire was used, which was divided into 4 domains, the competence acquisition consisting of 4 items (A), the acceptance of the course concept with 7 items (B), the framework conditions with 3 items (C) and the recommendation with 2 items (D). The rating was based on a scale of grades (1 = "very good" to 5 = "poor"). In the assessment of the acceptance of the course concept, the following results were obtained in 4 domains: In “A” the subjective optimization of manual skills increased by 0.49 ± 0.86 and the theoretical skills improved by 1.32 ± 0.60 grades. “B” being dived into the subcategories as presentation 1.26 ± 0.34; speaker 1.17 ± 0.21; visual models 1.26 ± 0.28; case examples 1.22 ± 0.24; theoretical advices 1.20 ± 0.22; practical implementation tips 1.18 ± 0.22; practical demonstration 1.22 ± 0.28.The framework conditions “C” were subdivided into spatiality 1.34 ± 0.39; duration of the course 1.97 ± 0.34; media 1.32 ± 0.40. “D” being stated as the overall grading of 1.24 ± 0.23 and the innovation of the teaching concept of 1.31 ± 0.33 suggest a high acceptance of the short concept. About 55% of the course participants evaluated in the free text like to have had more time to deepen their skills with individual care even more. 84% would be interested in a sequel. An improvement could be assessed by the peer-tutor as they began to get comfortable and more advanced with the composite materials and dental instruments for texturing and polishing used in the course.&nbsp;The results indicate that extracurricular free courses offered by students to students may well be a useful addition to university settings. It therefore makes sense to support suitable students by teaching staff and, where appropriate, to train in the training of third so that the knowledge can be shared more easily with each other. Through the small learning groups, the skills could be taught more effectively in theoretical and practical terms and it could be targeted to the individual needs of the participating students.&nbsp;</p

Work shadowing in dental teaching practices: evaluation results of a collaborative study between university and general dental practices

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance and assessment of work shadowing carried out by students and dentists in dental practices. Furthermore, the extent to which students perceive an improvement in their specialised, communication and social competencies, was to be examined. Methods 61 dental students in their clinical semesters at a German university participated in work shadowing placements at 27 different general dental practices. Before beginning, they received checklists of various competencies that they self-assessed using school grades (from 1 = ‘very good’, to 6 = ‘failed’), which they also repeated after completion. The dentists supplemented this with their external assessments. In addition, the students were requested to fill out a 54-item questionnaire and compose a freely-structured report after the work shadowing; the dentists filled out a questionnaire containing 16 items. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of the Friedman Test, including a post-hoc test (Bonferroni-Holm correction). Results The analysis showed a significant overall improvement in the students’ self-assessed competencies by 0.71* ± 0.43 grades. With an average of 0.33* ± 0.36, the dentists’ external assessment proved significantly higher than the self-assessment. The greatest improvements were perceived by the students in the areas of accounting (1.17* ± 0.77), practice organisation (1.05* ± 0.61) and dentist’s discussions (0.94* ±0.80) [*p < 0.05]. The students confirmed experiencing an expansion of knowledge, an improvement in their communication skills and indicated a high degree of satisfaction in regard to the dentists (school grade 1.58 ± 0.93). A maximum amount of satisfaction towards the work shadow students was demonstrated by the dentists, and this form of teaching was assessed with a school grade of 1.69 ± 0.89. Conclusion Both students and dental practitioners demonstrated a high level of satisfaction in regard to the work shadowing. The students felt their knowledge had increased, viewed the dentists as motivating role models and acknowledged a significant improvement in their specialised, communication and social competencies. Work shadowing in dental teaching practices presents a sensible addition to academic teaching at a university

Work shadowing in dental teaching practices : evaluation results of a collaborative study between university and general dental practices

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance and assessment of work shadowing carried out by students and dentists in dental practices. Furthermore, the extent to which students perceive an improvement in their specialised, communication and social competencies, was to be examined. Methods: 61 dental students in their clinical semesters at a German university participated in work shadowing placements at 27 different general dental practices. Before beginning, they received checklists of various competencies that they self-assessed using school grades (from 1 = "very good", to 6 = "failed"), which they also repeated after completion. The dentists supplemented this with their external assessments. In addition, the students were requested to fill out a 54-item questionnaire and compose a freely-structured report after the work shadowing; the dentists filled out a questionnaire containing 16 items. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of the Friedman Test, including a post-hoc test (Bonferroni-Holm correction). Results: The analysis showed a significant overall improvement in the students’ self-assessed competencies by 0.71* ± 0.43 grades. With an average of 0.33* ± 0.36, the dentists’ external assessment proved significantly higher than the self-assessment. The greatest improvements were perceived by the students in the areas of accounting (1.17* ± 0.77), practice organisation (1.05* ± 0.61) and dentist’s discussions (0.94* ±0.80) [*p < 0.05]. The students confirmed experiencing an expansion of knowledge, an improvement in their communication skills and indicated a high degree of satisfaction in regard to the dentists (school grade 1.58 ± 0.93). A maximum amount of satisfaction towards the work shadow students was demonstrated by the dentists, and this form of teaching was assessed with a school grade of 1.69 ± 0.89. Conclusion: Both students and dental practitioners demonstrated a high level of satisfaction in regard to the work shadowing. The students felt their knowledge had increased, viewed the dentists as motivating role models and acknowledged a significant improvement in their specialised, communication and social competencies. Work shadowing in dental teaching practices presents a sensible addition to academic teaching at a university

Study on the Interrater Reliability of an OSPE (Objective Structured Practical Examination) – Subject to the Evaluation Mode in the Phantom Course of Operative Dentistry

Introduction: The aim of the study presented here was to evaluate the reliability of an OSPE end-of-semester exam in the phantom course for operative dentistry in Frankfurt am Main taking into consideration different modes of evaluation (examiner’s checklist versus instructor’s manual) and number of examiners (three versus four).Methods: In an historic, monocentric, comparative study, two different methods of evaluation were examined in a real end-of-semester setting held in OSPE form (Group I: exclusive use of an examiner’s checklist versus Group II: use of an examiner’s checklist including an instructor’s manual). For the analysis of interrater reliability, the generalisability theory was applied that contains a generalisation of the concept of internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Results: The results show that the exclusive use of the examiner’s checklist led to higher interrater reliability values than the in-depth instructor’s manual used in addition to the list.Conclusion: In summary it can be said that the examiner’s checklists used in the present study, without the instructor’s manual, resulted in the highest interrater reliability in combination with three evaluators within the context of the completed OSPE

Evaluation of an e-learning module under different tutorial guidance

This multivariate, prospective, monocentric, single blind, observational study evaluates the experimental application of an interactive e-learning module under different tutorial guidance on the topic of EbD (Evidence based Dentistry).The voluntary extracurricular module was offered to dentistry students (n=53) during the fi rst clinical semesters. During a processing time of 4 weeks the students were supervised in small groups with an e-tutor (electronic tutor) via e-mail. The tutor supervised n=26 in a facilitative (f) and n=27 non-facilitative (nf) mode. In a fi nal evaluation n=47 students participated, subdivided into n=24 (f) and n=23 (nf). The questionnaire used in the study comprised 10 items assigned to the evaluation of e-learning settings and tutoring effectiveness.</p

Game-based learning “Jeopardy” in dental education: A pilot study

This randomised experimental pilot study is intended to contribute to the investigations about the learning success of students in their fi rst clinical semester of dentistry using game-based learning in "Jeopardy"-setting. In dentistry, there are no studies available on this learning and teaching context.All students from the fi rst clinical semester of the dentistry course at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main were included in this study (n=25). They underwent a pre-test with 39 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and a 15-min solution time

Quality management of eLearning for medical education : current situation and outlook

Introduction: In 2008, the German Council of Science had advised universities to establish a quality management system (QMS) that conforms to international standards. The system was to be implemented within 5 years, i.e., until 2014 at the latest. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a QMS suitable for electronic learning (eLearning) domain of medical education to be used across Germany has meanwhile been identified. Methods: We approached all medical universities in Germany (n=35), using an anonymous questionnaire (8 domains, 50 items). Results: Our results (response rate 46.3%) indicated very reluctant application of QMS in eLearning and a major information deficit at the various institutions. Conclusions: Authors conclude that under the limitations of this study there seems to be a considerable need to improve the current knowledge on QMS for eLearning, and that clear guidelines and standards for their implementation should be further defined

Cytotoxicity of self-etch versus etch-and-rinse dentin adhesives: A screening study

Six dentin adhesives were tested in vitro regarding their cytotoxicity on human fibroblasts. The adhesives Hybrid Bond, One-up Bond F Plus, AdheSE, Clearfil SE Bond, Optibond Solo Plus and Syntac were eluted with culture medium as single or sequentially applied adhesive part for 24 h. 75 Petri dishes were produced per group. They were evaluated triangulated, comprising the quantitative evaluation (105 ones) to determine “viable”, “dead” and “debris” cells with the use of a cell-counter and the reactivity index was also identified based on the qualitative assessment (420 ones). One-up Bond F Plus, AdheSE and Clearfil SE Bond showed a statistical difference of viable cells to the cell control. For One-up Bond F Plus, statistically, differences compared to hybrid bond and Syntac were also found. All the adhesives except One-up Bond F Plus showed significant differences between single and sequentially applied adhesive part regarding the quantitative evaluation. The test material showed a moderate grade of cytotoxicity. As a result, a statistically significant difference of the cytotoxicity between the self-etch and etch-and-rinse adhesives cannot be demonstrated regarding the qualitative evaluation and the reactivity index, but the differences between sequentially applied and single applied components can be proved