The effect of e-learning on the quality of orthodontic appliances

Abstract

PurposeThe effect of e-learning on practical skills in medicine has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Today’s multimedia learning environment and access to e-books provide students with more knowledge than ever before. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of online demonstrations concerning the quality of orthodontic appliances manufactured by undergraduate dental students.Materials and methodsThe study design was a parallel-group randomized clinical trial. Fifty-four participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: 1) conventional lectures, 2) conventional lectures plus written online material, and 3) access to resources of groups one and two plus access to online video material. Three orthodontic appliances (Schwarz Plate, U-Bow Activator, and Fränkel Regulator) were manufactured during the course and scored by two independent raters blinded to the participants. A 15-point scale index was used to evaluate the outcome quality of the appliances.ResultsIn general, no significant differences were found between the groups. Concerning the appliances, the Schwarz Plate obtained the highest scores, whereas the Fränkel Regulator had the lowest scores; however, these results were independent of the groups. Females showed better outcome scores than males in groups two and three, but the difference was insignificant. Age of the participants also had no significant effect.ConclusionThe offer that students could use additional time and course-independent e-learning resources did not increase the outcome quality of the orthodontic appliances. The advantages of e-learning observed in the theoretical fields of medicine were not achieved in the educational procedures for manual skills. Factors other than e-learning may have a higher impact on manual skills, and this should be investigated in further studies.

Comparison between Virtual and Traditional Learning Methods for Orthodontic Knowledge and Skills in Dental Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…In the current study, the dental students developed sufficient clinical skills for diagnosis and treatment planning orthodontic cases irrespective of the learning methods. These results support the findings that e-learning and video demonstrations have only minor effects on orthodontic practical skills [ 20 ]. Furthermore, the results of this study are in alignment with the literature reporting that student achievement is as high in the virtual environment as it is when delivered in a traditional face-to-face classroom for providing education regarding radiographic interpretation of bony lesions of the jaw [ 37 ].…”

“…Most of the studies focusing on this topic targeted theoretical education. Few studies have made comparisons between the effect of e-learning and traditional learning on teaching disciplines, where manual dexterity is required [ 19 , 20 ]. No significant difference in orthodontic practical skills was found between lectures and video demonstrations [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Few studies have made comparisons between the effect of e-learning and traditional learning on teaching disciplines, where manual dexterity is required [ 19 , 20 ]. No significant difference in orthodontic practical skills was found between lectures and video demonstrations [ 20 , 21 ]. In addition, the efficacy of virtual education for teaching orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning has received little attention.…”

The tablet computer’s impact on learning and National Dental Examination scores in orthodontics - a mixed-method research

“…Physiotherapy students gained improved palpation and ultrasound skills [27], whereas dental students gained only a partial benefit for cavity removal [28]. Nor did visual methodologies during orthodontic courses have any effect on the quality of orthodontic appliances fabricated by dental students [29].…”

Education Technology in Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

“…The changes in performance following learning were evaluated in five studies. Schorn-Borgmann et al evaluated the performance of students in the construction of orthodontic appliances, and no significant improvement in the practical result was identified [110]. Ludwig at.…”