Evaluation of a Local Anesthesia Simulation Model with Dental Students as Novice Clinicians

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a local anesthesia (LA) simulation model in a facilitated small group setting before dental students administered an inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) for the irst time. For this pilot study, 60 dental students transitioning from preclinical to clinical education were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (N=30) that participated in a small group session using the simulation model or a control group (N=30). After administering local anesthesia for the irst time, students in both groups were given questionnaires regarding levels of preparedness and conidence when administering an IANB and level of anesthesia effectiveness and pain when receiving an IANB. Students in the experimental group exhibited a positive difference on all six questions regarding preparedness and conidence when administering LA to another student. One of these six questions ("I was prepared in administering local anesthesia for the irst time") showed a statistically signiicant difference (p<0.05). Students who received LA from students who practiced on the simulation model also experienced fewer post-injection complications one day after receiving the IANB, including a statistically signiicant reduction in trismus. No statistically signiicant difference was found in level of effectiveness of the IANB or perceived levels of pain between the two groups. The results of this pilot study suggest that using a local anesthesia simulation model may be beneicial in increasing a dental student's level of comfort prior to administering local anesthesia for the irst time.Dr. Lee is a Resident,

Students' Evaluations of Simulations in Dentistry: A Multiple Cohort Study at a U.S. Dental School

“…Despite elevated stress surrounding the simulated event, our students overwhelmingly supported simulation as an educational enterprise. This is probably because training in clinical subjects that incorporates realistic simulations has been found to benefit learners' perceived competence and confidence 23, 37 39 Our positive evaluations are consistent with those in another study investigating learner attitudes towards medical emergency simulation, specifically with regard to self‐confidence, team training, and educational objectives 40 .…”

“…Simulation exercises used in dental education vary in complexity and technological requirements and can include modalities such as representative models, 23 virtual patients, 16, 42 standardized patients, 17, 43 and manikins 21 . Consistently, in those studies, similar cohorts at the same dental school participating in simulations utilizing both standardized patients and high‐fidelity manikins reported similar rates of positivity towards the experience.…”

“…In general, studies indicate that learners have positive feelings towards simulations used in dentistry 16, 21, 23 . Use of high‐fidelity simulation for medical emergency management training in particular garnered positive dental student ratings in one study 22 .…”

The importance of using mannequin-training models in first aid learning: Case of avulsed tooth

“…In different fields of dentistry, g. g. tooth extractions, it has been shown that practical skill training on models can significantly improve the performance of students prior to the transition to real patient [17,18]. Local anesthesia training models are also a valuable didactic complement and have beneficial effects [10,13,14]. Students who have used a preclinical training model for practising local anesthesia considered it a useful preparation for their first injection in a human [14].…”

“…They are also mentioned in the International guidelines for first aid and resuscitation as an effective method of teaching [12]. In the field of dental medicine, there are numerous studies that emphasize the importance of innovative learning approaches, also the use of mannequin training models [10,13,14,15]. However, the focus of the training should be on the actual real situation [10].…”