Objectives:To evaluate the perceptions of dental students on problem-based learning, PBL, in comparison with the traditional lecture (TL) method.Methods: This comparative study was conducted amongst 72 dental undergraduates. PBL was introduced to the students before the commencement of course. PBL method was used by the student to learn about cariology, whilst other lecture topics were taught by the TL. Students were not informed at the beginning of the course about end of course assessment of learning and teaching methods to limit their bias.The study was approved by the institution's ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from participants at the end of the course to recruit them into the study. The students worked in small groups to solve tasks on clinical case scenarios.Four class sessions were held for presentations and discussions. The students' perceptions concerning the two teaching methods were sought by the use of an anonymously completed questionnaire. Six perceived factors that influenced the teaching and learning process were extracted from the twenty-two-perception-item questionnaire using factor analysis. Paired sample t test was used for comparison of means. Results:The highest mean scores for all six perceived factors were observed in the PBL method. There were statistically significant differences (P < .05) between PBL and TL teaching methods for all the perceived factors; ("Challenge critical thinking," "Communication with peers," "Usefulness as pedagogical method," "Organization" and "Interaction between students and tutors") except for the perceived factor "Adequacy of teaching." The mean for most of the perception items was highest in the PBL method compared to TL. The perception item "Able to provide intellectual stimulation" had the highest mean score (4.21 ± 0.76) for the PBL method, whilst it was "Laboratory exercise" (4.14 ± 0.68) for TL. Conclusions:Students' perception of the two educational methods investigated showed a preference for the PBL method. The students felt that PBL provided a higher ability for intellectual stimulation. K E Y W O R D Sdental undergraduates, problem-based-learning, teaching method, traditional lecture How to cite this article: Oderinu OH, Adegbulugbe IC, Orenuga OO, Butali A. Comparison of students' perception of problem-based learning and traditional teaching method in a Nigerian dental school. Eur J Dent Educ. 2020;24:207-212.

Dentists practicing in Nigeria exhibited knowledge gaps concerning DH and its diagnosis and management.

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Objective:The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of tooth wear and to identify risk factors in a sample of young Nigerian adults.Materials and Methods:Participants were individuals aged 18–35 years, attending dental clinics located in eight centers representing the six geopolitical zones of the country. Calibrated examiners measured tooth wear using basic erosive wear examination (BEWE) index. Individuals were characterized by the highest BEWE score recorded for any facial/oral tooth surface. Previously validated questionnaire was used to gather information on demographics and risk factors.Results:A total of 1349 participants were examined. The prevalence of tooth wear was 60.2%. Bivariate analysis showed significant differences in the prevalence of tooth wear with age, educational level, and occupation (P ≤ 0.05). There were significant differences in tooth wear among the participants from the different states. Tooth wear was found to increase with smoking. Tooth wear was associated with brushing frequency, use of chewing stick, and other local cleaning agents. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, brushing frequency, brushing after breakfast added statistically significantly to the prediction of tooth wear (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Tooth wear was common in the population. The frequency of tooth brushing, use of chewing sticks and other local tooth cleaning agents may be contributory.

The incidence of postoperative pain was lower in the normal saline treatment group, but the difference was not statistically significant.

IntroductionPrevalence of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) may be on the increase as a result of changing lifestyles. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of DH and relative importance of associated factors in 18-35 year old Nigerians and compare to findings from a similar European study.MethodsFollowing ethical approval, 1349 subjects from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria participated in this cross sectional study. DH was clinically evaluated by cold air tooth stimulation, patient pain rating (yes/no) and investigator rated pain using the Schiff ordinal scale (0-3). Erosive tooth wear using the BEWE index was assessed. A questionnaire regarding the nature of the DH, erosive dietary intakes, tooth brushing habits and other factors was completed by patients. Bivariate analysis was conducted.Results32.8% of patients reported pain on tooth stimulation and 32.9% scored ≥1 on Schiff scale for at least one tooth. Questionnaire reported sensitivity was 41.2%. There were statistically significant associations between Schiff score and clinically elicited DH (p < 0.001); and BEWE erosive tooth wear score and clinically elicited DH (p < 0.001). There were significant associations between DH and some oral hygiene practices such as brushing frequency, brush movement and brushing after breakfast. Fresh fruit and fruit/vegetable juice intake also showed significant association.ConclusionThe most important risk factors of DH for this population in Nigeria appear to be the frequency and characteristics of tooth brushing. This should be considered in its prevention and management.

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