Even though the traditional live demonstration method is commonly used in teaching laboratory techniques to dental students, it has many drawbacks. The aim of this study was to assess the acquisition of knowledge, practical skills, and perceptions of dental students who had a live demonstration versus procedural video on arranging artificial teeth. All 79 third-year dental students at a dental school in Sri Lanka, who had no previous experience in arrangement of teeth, were randomly divided into two groups in 2016. Students in group 1 had a live demonstration, while students in group 2 had a video demonstration. A pretest and posttest were conducted to assess the students' knowledge about arrangement of teeth. After one week, students in both groups were requested to arrange teeth, and a practical skills score was given. Following this, a questionnaire was used to assess the students' perceptions regarding their method of learning. Three students in group 1 did not attend the live demonstration, so the results were based on 76 participants: group 1 n=36, group 2 n=40. The results showed no significant difference between the two group's mean pretest scores (p=0.460). However, group 2 showed a statistically significant increase in mean posttest score over its pretest score (p=0.002). This difference was not seen in group 1. There was no significant difference in the mean skills test score for the two groups (p=0.588). These results suggest the procedural video was as good as the live demonstration in teaching the specific task selected for this study. However, when the perceptions of the two groups were compared, the students considered the video as a better teaching tool except when clarification was needed.

ObjectiveOur objective was to assess awareness, attitudes, need and demand on replacement of missing teeth according to edentulous space, age, gender, ethnicity, educational level and socio-economical status of the patient.Results76.2% of the study group was opined that the missing teeth should be replaced by prosthetic means. Majority were keen in getting them replaced mainly for the comfort in mastication. Although 77.9 and 32.9% were aware of the removable prostheses and implants respectively, only 25.2% knew about tooth supported bridges as an option of replacement of missing teeth. Participants’ awareness on tooth and implant supported prostheses is at a higher level. Participants’ opinion on need of regular dental visit was statistically significant when gender, ethnicity and education level were considered. The highest demand for replacement of missing teeth was observed in Kennedy class I and II situations in both upper and lower arches. Demand for fixed prostheses was significantly highest in Kennedy class II in upper and lower arches. In conclusion, although removable prosthodontic options are known to most of the patients, their awareness on tooth and implant supported prostheses is also at a higher level. The highest demand for replacement of missing teeth is by patients with Kennedy class I and II situations whereas Kennedy class II being the category with highest demand for fixed prostheses. We recommend that the location of missing teeth to be considered as a priority when educating patients on the most appropriate prosthetic treatment options. Dentists’ involvement in educating patients on prosthetic options needs to be improved.

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Aim To compare the plaque removal ability of two designs of interdental toothbrushes (IDTBs) [“tube-like” IDTB = TT and “conical” IDTB = CT] in the posterior part of the mouth in adult patients. Materials and methods The study sample consisted of 107 adult patients who were in the periodontal maintenance phase having completed treatment for “chronic mild–moderate gingivitis.” Each selected patient was subjected to plaque scoring in the posterior sextants. Four sites per tooth were scored after plaque disclosing. The percentage of plaque was calculated. One of the two designs of IDTBs (TT or CT) was randomly assigned for each patient. They were instructed to carry out eight strokes back-and-forth in the relevant interdental spaces, following demonstration of the technique on a model. The interdental surfaces were reexamined for remaining plaque, and the plaque score was taken. The percentage of reduction of plaque after using the IDTB was calculated. Results The mean interdental plaque score for the “TT design” group (n = 56) was 82% initially, whereas the same for “CT design” group (n = 51) was 78%, and this difference was not significant statistically. Following use of TT design, the plaque score in this group was reduced to 24%, which is a 71% reduction from the initial plaque score. This reduction was significant statistically (p < 0.004; t-test). The CT design also showed a dramatic reduction (79%) in plaque score following use of this design (p < 0.007; t-test). Conclusion Although both designs (CT and TT) were highly effective in posterior interdental spaces, the CT design appeared to be better than TT design in controlling interdental plaque. How to cite this article Tilakaratne A, Perera KL, Jayasinghe VP. Comparison of Effectiveness of Two Designs of Interdental Toothbrushes in removing Dental Plaque. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2017;6(1):17-21.