Impact of computer-based treatment planning software on clinical judgment of dental students for planning prosthodontic rehabilitation

Abstract

PurposeSuccessful prosthodontic rehabilitation involves making many interrelated clinical decisions which have an impact on each other. Self-directed computer-based training has been shown to be a very useful tool to develop synthetic and analytical problem-solving skills among students. Thus, a computer-based case study and treatment planning (CSTP) software program was developed which would allow students to work through the process of comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment planning for patients in a structured and logical manner. The present study was aimed at assessing the effect of this CSTP software on the clinical judgment of dental students while planning prosthodontic rehabilitation and to assess the students’ perceptions about using the program for its intended use.MethodsA CSTP software program was developed and validated. The impact of this program on the clinical decision making skills of dental graduates was evaluated by real life patient encounters, using a modified and validated mini-CEX. Students’ perceptions about the program were obtained by a pre-validated feedback questionnaire.ResultsThe faculty assessment scores of clinical judgment improved significantly after the use of this program. The majority of students felt it was an informative, useful, and innovative way of learning and they strongly felt that they had learnt the logical progression of planning, the insight into decision making, and the need for flexibility in treatment planning after using this program.ConclusionCSTP software was well received by the students. There was significant improvement in students’ clinical judgment after using this program. It should thus be envisaged fundamentally as an adjunct to conventional teaching techniques to improve students’ decision making skills and confidence.

Effect of software facilitated teaching on final grades of dental students in a dental morphology course

“…A similar clinical study reported that the use of computer-based treatment planning software resulted in improved clinical decision-making skills among dental students. 9 The results of our study were in agreement with those results: a positive association between the use of the software program and improved students’ performance was established from our study.…”

Assessment formats in dental medicine: An overview

“… Observations of authentic doctor-patient interactions by different educators in different situations; feedback on different clinical pictures at different locations each with a different focus [ 155 ] Thorough planning is necessary because giving feedback takes 8-17 minutes [ 155 ], [ 160 ]. Relatively simple to implement with enough flexibility in the dental setting [ 161 ] Practical examples exist [ 162 ]. …”

“… Reliability depends heavily on the number of assessors and cases [ 151 ], [ 153 ]. Several documented instances in the literature of use in dental medicine (Dental Foundation Training in Great Britain), however, often without any precise information on the evaluation instruments [ 161 ], [ 162 ]. …”

Development and evaluation of learning module on clinical decision-making in Prosthodontics

“…Level 2 involves modification of attitude and behaviors of learners which was also found to be significantly improved after use of this software. [ 14 ] The present investigation dealt with level 3 that is, investigating whether learning has occurred by the acquisition of knowledge per se . This blended approach should, therefore, be implemented in undergraduate training to improve clinical decision-making while planning prosthodontic rehabilitation.…”