Restor Dent Endod.  2024 Feb;49(1):e8. 10.5395/rde.2024.49.e8.

Effect of Dental Practicality Index training using an online video on decision-making and confidence level in treatment planning by dental undergraduates

• See ZW
• Lee MS
• Parolia A
• Kanagasingam S
• Gunjal S
• Patel S

• KMID: 2554136
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5395/rde.2024.49.e8

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Dental Practicality Index (DPI) training using an online video on the treatment planning decisions and confidence level of dental undergraduates (DUs).
Materials and Methods
Ninety-four DUs were shown 15 clinical case scenarios and asked to decide on treatment plans based on 4 treatment options. The most appropriate treatment plan had been decided by a consensus panel of experienced dentists. DUs then underwent DPI training using an online video. In a post-DPI-training test, DUs were shown the same clinical case scenarios and asked to assign the best treatment option. After 6 weeks, DUs were retested to assess their knowledge retention. In all 3 tests, DUs completed the confidence level scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the related-samples Wilcoxon signed rank test and the independent-samples Mann-Whitney U test with the level of significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
DPI training significantly improved the mean scores of the DUs from 7.53 in the pre-DPI-training test to 9.01 in the post-DPI-training test (p < 0.001). After 6 weeks, the mean scores decreased marginally to 8.87 in the retention test (p = 0.563). DPI training increased their confidence level from 5.68 pre-DPI training to 7.09 post-DPI training.
Conclusions
Training DUs using DPI with an online video improved their decision-making and confidence level in treatment planning.

Keyword

Confidence; Decision making; Dental Practicality; Diagnosis; Treatment planning

Figure

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  Figure 1 A clinical case scenario used in the tests, with 4 treatment options assigned.RCT, root canal treatment.

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  Figure 2 Number of dental undergraduates who participated in each stage of the study.DPI, Dental Practicality Index.

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  Figure 3 Mean treatment planning scores of year 4 and year 5 dental undergraduates and self-reported confidence level for all dental undergraduates.DPI, Dental Practicality Index.

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