Layered Base Plate Blocks and Operative Dentistry Skills

Affiliations

05 January 2018


Abstract

Aim: Preclinical dental training is essential for the development of psychomotor skills necessary for clinical practice. The study aimed to investigate the impact of teaching with a layered base plate blocks on cavity preparations and students' self-perceived confidence, readiness, and ability.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study recruited 52 dental students into two groups; one trained (test) with layered base plate and the other without (control). Students answered an eight-question survey to assess self-perceived confidence, readiness, and ability for performing cavity preparation at the start of their first preclinical operative dentistry course. Students prepared one molar tooth for a class I cavity and two for class II cavities. Preparations were assessed for different elements of depth and outline extension by two blinded examiners.

Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the median scores with respect to the preparation of class II cavities among students exposed to layered base plate (Mann-Whitney U-test, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the median scores awarded with respect to the preparation of class I cavity. A statistically significant difference was reported in self-perceived confidence among students who trained with the layered base plate (x2, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Training on the layered base plate blocks increased students' initial confidence level in performing cavity preparations, and improved the preparation skills in class II cavity.

Clinical significance: This study explores the methods of enhancing motor skills taught in preclinical operative dentistry courses, especially in short academic programs.

Keywords: Cavity outline; Layered base plate blocks Operative dentistry..


Similar articles

Impact of Technique-Specific Operative Videos on First-Year Dental Students' Performance of Restorative Procedures.

Patel SA, Barros JA, Clark CM, Frey GN, Streckfus CF, Quock RL.J Dent Educ. 2015 Sep;79(9):1101-7.PMID: 26329035 Clinical Trial.

Agreement Among Dental Students, Peer Assessors, and Tutor in Assessing Students' Competence in Preclinical Skills.

Foley JI, Richardson GL, Drummie J.J Dent Educ. 2015 Nov;79(11):1320-4.PMID: 26522637

The effectiveness of a layered baseplate training aid in the preclinical instruction of second-year dental students.

Udin RD, Bamrud JD, Johnson R, Yaari A.Quintessence Int. 1991 Aug;22(8):659-64.PMID: 1882062

Long-term outcomes for remedial students.

Guenzel PJ, Knight GW.J Prosthet Dent. 1992 Jun;67(6):865-9. doi: 10.1016/0022-3913(92)90603-8.PMID: 1403880 Review.

Communication Skills Teaching Methods in Dental Education - a Review.

Burkert V, Stoykova M, Semerdjieva M.Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2021 Feb 28;63(1):30-34. doi: 10.3897/folmed.63.e52343.PMID: 33650393 Review.


KMEL References