The dental microscope in endodontic education: A feasibility study of a distance learning course.

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of preclinical training, specifically in root canal preparation, using a virtual educational system equipped with an operating microscope. Ten postgraduate general dentistry trainees and practitioners undergoing postgraduate training in endodontics participated. The telesimulation course included three steps: theory, demonstration of practical work by the teacher and lastly practical training by the participants. The digital environment including the dental microscope was presented, and the feedback was collected with a questionnaire. The majority of participants considered that the online video conference format allowed them to acquire theoretical content but also practical knowledge and skills, owing to the contribution of the operating microscope. The technical feasibility of endodontic telesimulation was demonstrated. The operating microscope has a potential role in distance education, enabling teaching to occur synchronously and collaboratively. This allows learners to interact with each other and demonstrators in real time.

La evaluación en el posgrado mediante la educación a distancia durante la COVID-19 / Postgraduate evaluation through distance learning during COVID-19

Fundamento: La implementación de la educación a distancia en el posgrado durante la COVID-19 constituye una alternativa del sistema de educación superior cubana. Objetivo: Describir los resultados de la evaluación en el posgrado, mediante la modalidad de educación a distancia durante el tercer rebrote de la pandemia de COVID-19. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo transversal entre junio y julio de 2021, en la Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba. Se consideraron como unidades de análisis: unidades didácticas, estudiantes (residentes), la población estuvo constituida por los 146 residentes que cursaban el 1.er año de la especialidad, se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria (n= 96). Se estudiaron las variables resultados de las evaluaciones de cada unidad didáctica y general del módulo (excelente, bien, regular y mal), grado de dificultad (muy difícil, difícil y sin dificultad) y nivel de satisfacción (satisfecho, medianamente satisfecho e insatisfecho). Como instrumento de medición se empleó el registro de evaluación y de entrevista, respectivamente. Se empleó el porcentaje como medida de resumen. Resultados: Más del 70 % de los residentes evaluados se encontró en la categoría de bien sin dificultad, estando satisfechos con la modalidad de educación a distancia. Conclusiones: Predominaron los resultados de "excelente" solo en la unidad didáctica 1 y de "bien" en la evaluación final del módulo. La unidad didáctica de "mayor dificultad" resultó ser la 2. La mayor cantidad de residentes refirió estar satisfecho con la modalidad de educación a distancia en el posgrado.

Background: The implementation of distance education at the postgraduate level during COVID-19 represents an alternative in the Cuban higher education system. Objective: To describe the results of the evaluation in posgrado, through the educational modality at distance during the third regrowth of the pandemic of COVID-19. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted between June and July 2021 at the Faculty of Stomatology, University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba. The following units of analysis were considered: teaching units, students (residents), the population consisted of 146 residents in the first year of specialization, a random sample was selected (n= 96). The variables studied were the results of the evaluations of each didactic unit and the general evaluation of the module (excellent, good, fair, and poor), level of difficulty (very difficult, difficult, and no difficulty), and level of satisfaction (satisfied, moderately satisfied, and dissatisfied). The evaluation and interview registers were used as measurement instruments, respectively, and the percentage was used as a summary measure. Results: More than 70% of the residents evaluated were in the good without difficulty category and were satisfied with the distance learning modality. Conclusions: The results "excellent" predominated only in didactic unit 1 and "good" in the final evaluation of the module. The "most difficult" didactic unit was didactic unit 2. Most residents were satisfied with the distance learning modality in the postgraduate program.

Producción científica estudiantil en revistas odontológicas indexadas en SciELO, 2018 y 2019 / Students' scientific production in dental journals indexed in SciELO, 2018 and 2019

Introducción: Publicar artículos desde el pregrado permite al estudiante culminar el proceso de investigación y desarrollar habilidades útiles para el posgrado. Objetivo: Describir la producción científica estudiantil en las revistas odontológicas indexadas en la colección SciELO durante los años 2018 y 2019. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, considerando como unidad de análisis los artículos. Se consideraron las revistas indexadas en la colección en el momento de las búsquedas, así como las que incluyeron en sus artículos información relacionada con el grado académico de los autores. Se estudiaron las siguientes variables: nombre de la revista, factor de impacto, artículos con participación estudiantil, año de publicación, idiomas, tipologías, temáticas, número de estudiantes por artículo, tipos y modalidad de autoría, países, universidades y citas. Resultados: Se evaluaron nueve revistas y en tres no se encontraron artículos con autoría estudiantil. Se publicaron 889 artículos, de los cuales el 3,49 por ciento tuvo participación de estudiantes. International Journal of Odontostomatology (5,41 por ciento) fue la revista con más artículos con autoría estudiantil. El 67,74 por ciento de los artículos fueron originales. Los autores estudiantiles brasileños y peruanos publicaron igual número de artículos (n = 8). El 19,35 por ciento de los artículos investigó temas de cirugía maxilofacial. Tres artículos estuvieron afiliados a la peruana Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Conclusiones: La producción científica estudiantil en las revistas odontológicas indexadas en SciELO es baja y se concentra principalmente en los artículos originales(AU)

Introduction: Publishing articles during undergraduate training makes it possible for students to complete the research process and develop skills useful for graduate education. Objective: Describe students' scientific production in dental journals indexed in the SciELO collection during the years 2018 and 2019. Methods: A cross-sectional observational descriptive study was conducted in which articles were the units of analysis. The journals considered were those indexed in the collection when the search was performed and those including articles containing information related to the academic degree of authors. The variables considered were journal name, impact factor, articles with students' participation, year of publication, languages, typologies, topics, number of students per article, authorship types and modes, countries, universities and citations. Results: Nine journals were evaluated, three of which did not contain any article of student authorship. A total 889 articles were published, with students participating in 3.49 percent of them. The International Journal of Odontostomatology (5.41 percent) was the journal with the largest number of articles of student authorship. 67.74 percent of the articles were original. Brazilian and Peruvian student authors published the same number of articles (n = 8). 19.35 percent of the articles dealt with topics related to maxillofacial surgery. Three articles were affiliated to the Peruvian National University of San Marcos. Conclusions: Students' scientific production is low in dental journals indexed in SciELO, and is mainly composed of original articles(AU)

Educación a distancia de la maestría Atención Estomatológica Comunitaria durante el periodo de COVID-19 / E-learning of the Community Dental Care master's degree during COVID-19

RESUMEN Fundamento: Mantener las formas organizativas de la formación académica con métodos alternativos es una necesidad en los momentos actuales debido a la difícil situación que ha impuesto la pandemia de COVID-19. Objetivo: Describir las modalidades de educación a distancia utilizadas en la maestría Atención Estomatológica Comunitaria en tiempos de la pandemia COVID-19. Metodología: Se realizó una investigación descriptiva en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Sancti Spíritus entre marzo y junio de 2020 con la aplicación de métodos del nivel teórico (analítico-sintético; inductivo-deductivo) y empírico (análisis de documentos). Resultados: El correo electrónico, el intercambio de medios electrónicos de almacenamiento, la vía telefónica, el grupo de WhatsApp y la autopreparación fueron las principales modalidades implementadas en las condiciones de restricción de movilidad y distanciamiento social que impuso la situación epidemiológica actual. Conclusiones: Las modalidades de educación a distancia utilizadas permitieron contextualizar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la maestría a los tiempos de pandemia.

ABSTRACT Background: At present to maintain the structural forms of academic training with alternative methods is essential due to the difficult situation imposed by COVID-19. Objective: To describe the e-learning modalities used in the Community Dental Care master's degree in times of COVID-19. Methodology: A descriptive research was conducted at the Sancti Spíritus University of Medical Sciences between March and June 2020 with the application of theoretical (analytical-synthetic; inductive-deductive) and empirical (document analysis) methods. Results: E-mail, the exchange of electronic storage media, the telephone, the WhatsApp group and self-preparation were the main modalities implemented in the conditions of mobility restriction and social distance imposed by the current epidemiological situation. Conclusions: The e-learning modalities used allowed contextualizing the teaching-learning process of the master's degree to the times of pandemic.

Current Trends in the Use of Irrigant Activation Techniques Among Endodontists & Post-Graduate Dental Students in India -A Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Based Survey.

Objective: The aim of this survey was to examine the practice/use of Irrigant Activation Techniques (IAT) among Endodontists and post-graduate dental students in India. Methods: An invitation to participate in this survey was sent by electronic mail to 902 members of Indian Endodontic society. A total of 32 questions were finalized for the survey after validation by five endodontic experts. Survey contained 2 demographic questions, 7 knowledge based questions, 11 questions on attitude and 12 questions on practice of IAT. The reliability was checked by randomly asking 10 participants to fill the survey forms again after 15 days. The data was analyzed using chi-square test (P<0.05). Results: The overall response rate for the survey was 30.5%. The content validity ratio for the questionnaire was 0.972 & the reliability calculated using Kappa scores was 0.978. Most of the respondents (87.3%) use IAT, while 4.7% do not use IAT. Most commonly used IAT was Manual dynamic agitation (MDA) used by 28.7%, followed by Ultrasonics in 17.2%. Sonic & negative pressure (EndoVac) was used by less than 10% of respondents. Combination of IAT was used by 39%. In 23 (5 on knowledge, 9 on attitude & 9 on practice) out of the 32 questions in this survey, there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in the answers between the groups, with post-graduate dental students opting the correct choices. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the preferred choice of irrigant for IAT according to 48.6%, Chlorhexidine (CHX) is used by 4.2% & Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) by 2.4%. Combination of two irrigants is used by 28.7% and 6% use all the three irrigants. Conclusion: Vast majority of the Endodontist in India use some form of IAT to improve the efficacy of irrigation. MDA is the most commonly used IAT.

Acceptance of systematic reviews as Master/PhD theses in Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether a master and PhD thesis in Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry can be based on a systematic review (SR). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed the coordinators of Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry using a self-administered questionnaire including questions about whether an SR meets requirements for approval of a master or PhD thesis, instructions regarding how to use an SR as the method for a master or PhD thesis, and reasons and barriers that SRs were not recognized as acceptable for a master or PhD thesis. The responses were analyzed descriptively, and tables and graphs were created to summarize the data. RESULTS: Among 101 graduate programs invited to participate in the study, 38 (37.6%) returned the questionnaire. Over three-quarters of surveyed programs (n = 30, 78.1%) answered that SRs, in whole or in part, meet the criteria for a master or PhD thesis. Likewise, most programs answered that a master or PhD thesis could be exclusively based on an SR (n = 28, 73.7%). The same number of programs pointed out that one possible reason for not recognizing SRs as a master or PhD thesis is either the lack of SR expertise among committee members (n = 28, 73.7%) or the lack of adequate training of candidates in SR methodology (n = 26, 68.4%). CONCLUSIONS: SRs are well accepted as a master or PhD thesis by Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry. Educational initiatives should be encouraged to promote understanding of SR methodology and increase acceptance among graduate programs worldwide.

Expert Consensus on Growth and Development Curricula for Predoctoral and Advanced Education Orthodontic Programs.

Dental students and orthodontic residents must demonstrate competence in various areas prior to graduation. However, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) definition of competence is broad. The aims of this study were to obtain expert consensus on Growth and Development topics and subtopics in predoctoral and advanced education programs in orthodontics and to determine the level of cognition on the subtopics necessary to demonstrate learner competence. A modified Delphi method with a consensus threshold of 70% was used. In Round One, academic orthodontists who met the expert panel inclusion criteria were surveyed to determine whether a topic was necessary to the curricula. Round Two identified the subtopics under each topic and the level of cognition necessary to demonstrate learner competence using Bloom's taxonomy, which defines the ascending levels of remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create. Round Three involved analyses and interpretation of Round Two results. The academic orthodontists determined that six topics (n=24) and 29 subtopics (n=15) were necessary for Growth and Development curricula. For all subtopics, they determined the mean level of cognition for predoctoral education was understand; for advanced education, it was analyze. This consensus on Growth and Development curricular content suggests that these levels are necessary for a beginning dentist and a beginning orthodontist to be deemed competent. Findings from this study can serve to guide curricular development and instruction by using the identified learning objectives to build instructional and assessment measures.

Application of a three-session-procedure based on experiential learning in a tooth brushing course for Chinese dental students.

BACKGROUND: Chinese dentists are obliged to provide reliable guidance to patients about tooth brushing. However, attitudes and behaviours of Chinese dental students regarding oral health have been insufficient. Traditionally, dental students were taught how to brush, but not how to evaluate tooth brushing. Here, we applied a three-session-procedure (TSP) based on experiential learning (EL) in a tooth brushing course for Chinese dental students. The aim was to improve dental students' knowledge, practice of tooth brushing and self-evaluation, which may help cultivate their ability to conduct evaluation for friends, relatives and future patients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study design with a pre-test and post-test group was applied. A total of 176 students were enrolled in the TSP, which included a 1.5-h lecture course, a 3-h practice course for evaluation and comparison of manual and electric tooth brushing, and an after-class experience report. A survey including a knowledge test and a questionnaire on tooth brushing habits and opinions about the TSP was conducted 2 weeks later. The data about tooth brushing and the survey were collected and analysed. RESULTS: Manual and electric tooth brush demonstrated almost equal overall efficiency in reducing plaque. However, for some students, either manual or electric tooth brushing was more suitable. Thus, it is advisable to estimate the exact differences in the efficiency of tooth brushing methods for each individual. The survey showed that tooth brushing by dental students significantly improved after TSP. The students could make self-evaluation and proper recommendations to family members and friends. The TSP was helpful in interpreting and evaluating manual and electric tooth brushing methods. CONCLUSIONS: A TSP course improved dental students' knowledge, practice of tooth brushing and self-evaluation. In conclusion, a TSP based on EL is an effective and well-organized method of education on tooth brushing for Chinese dental students.

Blended Module-Based Teaching in Biostatistics and Research Methodology: A Retrospective Study with Postgraduate Dental Students.

Information technology has stimulated efforts to reform teaching methods in dental education. Most of these efforts involve a shift from conventional mode to the more technology-savvy and student-centered approach. The aim of this study was to compare postgraduate dental students' academic performance using two teaching methodologies (video-based learning and blended module-based learning) in a biostatistics and research methodology course in a master's program at a dental college in India. This retrospective study involved two groups of students enrolled in the master's program with different years of admission: Group I in 2013-14 (n=80) and Group II in 2015-16 (n=80). Group I students learned the subjects with video-based learning, whereas Group II students were taught using a blended module program using a small-group learning system called Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL). The students' final course evaluation (summative assessment) and formative assessment (during course assessments) were compared for the two groups. The students' final course evaluation was derived from an end-of-year written examination, whereas the formative assessment was recorded with written tests and projects during the course. In the results, the summative assessment did not show a significant difference between Group I (68.2±13.4) and Group II (66.4±11.9) (p=0.39). The formative assessment showed a significant difference (p<0.001) in favor of the Group II students. In this study, the blended module-based teaching produced similar scores on the final exam to the video-based lectures, but it produced significantly better results on the in-course assessments. The latter finding could be attributed to the incorporation of small-group learning and POGIL.

Assessment, Education, and Access: Kona Hawai'i WIC Oral Health Pilot Project.

The Kona WIC oral health pilot project was developed to assess the oral health beliefs and behaviors of parents of children and pregnant women at the Kona WIC site and to demonstrate the ease of providing oral health education to families in order to improve oral health behaviors. Data were collected from 50 families about the oral health behaviors and dental care of a total of 73 children, including 5 pregnant women, four of whom had a child enrolled in WIC and one pregnant woman without any previous children. Data revealed that 68% of children with teeth had been seen by a dentist within 6 to 12 months of the study visit. Mothers were seen less often, with 55% stating that they had not been seen for a dental visit for over one year. Parental knowledge about the effects of fluoride on teeth was limited; however, 90% of the parents would allow fluoride varnish applied to their child's teeth, 88% would give daily fluoride drops/tablets to their child, and 78% would support water fluoridation if it would help to improve their children's oral health. Additionally, for children old enough to receive fluoride supplementation, 60% were not given a prescription by their health care providers, and 58% had not received any fluoride varnish applications. By offering oral health education in a WIC clinic and assisting clients to seek out comprehensive care within a dental home, children and caregivers can be provided essential education and resources early in a child's life or women's pregnancies to reduce poor oral health outcomes.

[A glance at the American training mode of the clinical postgraduate students of periodontology through postdoctoral program in periodontics of University of Washington School of Dentistry].

To provide references and recommendations about periodontal professionals training for our country by introducing American training mode of clinical postgraduate students of periodontology. Based on ground visits and surveys of University of Washington School of Dentistry's postdoctoral program in periodontics, the professional training mode and its characteristics which adapt to the development trend of American periodontology were summarized and concluded. The discussion is in the following three parts: the overall status of postgraduate education of periodontology in the United States, the training mode of the clinical postgraduate students of periodontology at University of Washington School of Dentistry, and the observation of the American Academy of Periodontology's annual conferences. This kind of training mode supervised by the American Dental Association, giving priority to clinical practice and emphasizing cultivating the multidisciplinary comprehensive ability are worth learning. Meanwhile, the development trend of periodontology in the United States which pay increasing attention to carry out implant therapy with periodontal features and the adaptive training mode of clinical postgraduate students of periodontology also deserves our deep reflection and can be used for reference.

An Emergency Simulation Course in a Postdoctoral General Dentistry Program: The New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine Experience.

Dentists can encounter life-threatening medical emergencies during the provision of routine dental care and must therefore be comfortable with the management of these emergencies. High-fidelity simulation has been used routinely in medical and surgical training and is a recognized and effective educational and assessment tool. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new high-fidelity simulation training course in medical emergency management for residents in the General Practice Residency program at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine. In academic years 2014-16, first-year GPR residents were required to take a simulation course covering medical emergency scenarios that are commonly encountered in the dental office. The course involved a team approach to emergency management with active participation by faculty and residents and with each training session followed by feedback and a formal review of the emergencies covered. Evaluation was achieved through completion of questionnaires by the residents following each session. A total of 14 residents (seven in each year) participated, completing 78 questionnaires in the two-year period. They gave the course an overall rating of 4.91 on a scale from 1 to 5, indicating strong agreement with the utility of the course as a learning tool in medical emergency management training. This course is now fully integrated into the GPR educational program at this institution and is a successful component of the emergency medicine curriculum.

Validation of a Novel Cognitive Simulator for Orbital Floor Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The increasing focus on patient safety in current medical practice has promoted the development of surgical simulation technology in the form of virtual reality (VR) training designed largely to improve technical skills and less so for nontechnical aspects of surgery such as decision making and material knowledge. The present study investigated the validity of a novel cognitive VR simulator called Touch Surgery for a core maxillofacial surgical procedure: orbital floor reconstruction (OFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 2 groups of participants with different experience levels. Novice graduate dental students and expert surgeons were recruited from a local dental school and academic residency programs, respectively. All participants completed the OFR module on Touch Surgery. The primary outcome variable was simulator performance score. Post-module questionnaires rating specific aspects of the simulation experience were completed by the 2 groups and served as the secondary outcome variables. The age and gender of participants were considered additional predictor variables. From these data, conclusions were made regarding 3 types of validity (face, content, and construct) for the Touch Surgery simulator. Dependent-samples t tests were used to explore the consistency in simulation performance scores across phases 1 and 2 by experience level. Two multivariate ordinary least-squares regression models were fit to estimate the relation between experience and phase 1 and 2 scores. RESULTS: Thirty-nine novices and 10 experts who were naïve to Touch Surgery were recruited for the study. Experts outperformed novices on phases 1 and 2 of the OFR module (P < .001), which provided the measurement of construct validation. Responses to the questionnaire items used to assess face validity were favorable from the 2 groups. Positive questionnaire responses also were recorded from experts alone on items assessing the content validity for the module. Participant age and gender were not relevant predictors of performance scores. CONCLUSION: Construct, content, and face validities were observed for the OFR module on a novel cognitive simulator, Touch Surgery. Therefore, OFR simulation on the smart device platform could serve as a useful cognitive training and assessment tool in maxillofacial surgery residency programs.

Una experiencia preclínica de enseñanza y aprendizaje en una carrera de especialización en endodoncia / A pre-clinical teaching and learning experiencein a specialization program in endodontics

Objetivo: desarrollar una estrategia para la enseñanza yel aprendizaje, que pueda derivar en una nueva metodología deevaluación individual y grupal de los procedimientos pre clínicosen la Carrera de Especialización en Endodoncia de la Universidad del Salvador / Asociación Odontológica Argentina. Materiales y métodos: Se llevaron a cabo dos experiencias pre clínicas donde cada alumno realizó un tratamiento endodóntico en dientes humanos unir radiculares extraídos, alinicio del curso preclínico –con los saberes y las destrezas previos–y al finalizar. Se consignaron y evaluaron 19 errores procedimentales.Los datos fueron analizados mediante la pruebano paramétrica del signo de Wilcoxon, con un valor de p≤0,05. Resultados: En la primera experiencia se constataron 63errores procedimentales, y en la segunda, 14. Entre la valoracióninicial y la final se hallaron diferencias significativasen las variables procesamiento radiográfico (α=0,014), apertura cameral exagerada (α=0,0013), alteración dela anatomía (α=0,05), pérdida de la longitud de trabajo(α=0,007), falta de adaptación del cono principal(α=0,008), y falta de compactación lateral (α=0,008).En el resto de las variables analizadas no se encontraron diferencias significativas. El índice de la mejoríaindividual fue del 50 al 100%, y el grupal, del 78,7%. Conclusiones: De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidosen esta experiencia, podría considerarse que la propuestapedagógica resultó válida para los objetivos planteados.

Aim: to develop a strategy for teaching and learning, which may lead to a new methodology for individual and group evaluation of pre clinical procedures in the Specialization Course in Endodontics of the Universidad del Salvador /Asociación Odontológica Argentina. Materials and methods: Two preclinical experiments were carried out where each student performed an endodontic treatment in single-rooted extracted human teeth, at the beginningand after finishing the preclinical course with his/herprevious knowledge and skills. Nineteen different proceduralerrors were recorded and evaluated. Wilcoxon’s sign test wasused to compare before and after results setting significanceat p≤0,05. Results: In the initial experiment 63 procedural errors were found and in the second, 14. Between the initial and final evaluations, significant differences were found in thevariables radiographic processing (α=0.014), exaggerated chamber opening (α=0.0013), anatomic form modification(α=0.05), loss of working length (α=0.007), lack of adaptation of the main cone (α=0.008), and lack of lateralcompaction (α=0.008). In the other variables that were evaluated, no significant differences were found. The rateof individual improvement was 50 to 100%, and the group of 78.7%. Conclusions: According to the results obtained in this experience, the pedagogical proposal can be considered to bevalid to reach educational goals.

Evaluación de la calidad de las obturaciones endodónticas realizadas por estudiantes de posgrado, en molares superiores, con técnicas de instrumentación manual y rotatoria / Evaluation of the quality of root canal fillings made bypostgraduate students in upper molars with manualand rotary instrumentation techniques

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la calidad de las obturaciones endodónticas en molares superiores instrumentados con técnicas manuales y rotatorias, por estudiantes de posgrado. Materiales y métodos: para este estudio, se analizaron las radiografías de endodoncias que fueron realizadas durante un año por alumnos de un curso de posgrado en endodoncia, en primeros y segundos molares superiores, con ténicas de instrumentación manual y rotatoria y posteriormente obturadas con técnica de condensación lateral. Se analizó la calidad de las obturaciones endodónticas en función de la longitud y la homogeneidad de la masa de gutapercha. Resultados: el 53,6 por ciento de las obturaciones estaba dentro de los límites del conducto radicular y en el 65,2 por ciento de los casos, la homogeneidad fue incorrecta. En cuanto a la longitud, no se verificaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las técnicas, como ocurrió con la homogeneidad (p<0,05). La frecuencia de inadecuados en ewsta última fue mayor para la técnica manual. La mayor cantidad de fallas en la obturación se registró en el conducto mesiovestibular. Conclusión: la calidad de las obturaciones no depende de la técnica de instrumentación empleada, sino de la experiencia del profesional interviniente y del tipo de conducto radicular tratado.(AU)

Aim: the aim of this study was to evaluate the quality ofendodontic fillings in upper molars instrumented with manualand rotary techniques by posgraduate students.Materials and methods: Radiographs of first and secondupper molars root canal treatments performed by studentsof a posgraduate endodontic course during a year wereanalyzed. Either manual or rotary instrumentation techniqueswere used and obturation was carried out using lateral condensation.Quality of endodontic obturation was analyzed accordingto length and homogeneity.Results: There were acceptable lengths of root canalfillings in 53.6% and homogeneity was incorrect in 65.2% ofthe cases. There was no statistically significance difference betweentechniques for the case of length, but there were statisticallysignificance difference for homogenity (p>0.05). Moredefective obturations were registered in the mesiobuccal canal.Conclusion: Independent of the instrumentation technique,the quality of root fillings is inherent to the professionalexperience and the type of root canal treated.

Postgraduate Orthodontics Students' and Mentors' Perceptions of Portfolios and Discussion as Tools for Development of Reflection.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a portfolio learning strategy designed to develop students' reflection abilities in a postgraduate orthodontic program in the UK. Nine first-year postgraduate orthodontic students and seven mentors participated in the one-year program, which included a reflective portfolio, mentorship, and discussion. After the program, the students' and mentors' perceptions were collected using focus groups and individual interviews, respectively. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four categories emerged. The first, reflection, was considered a skill to learn, and time was needed for students to fully understand its meaning and achieve its outcomes. The second theme, characteristics of reflection, was descriptive at the beginning and more critical at the end of the experience. The third theme, outcomes of reflection, involved students' improved problem-solving and action-planning abilities and increased self-awareness, motivation, confidence, and communication skills. In the fourth theme, stimulation of reflection, students did not agree with mentors regarding the importance of reflective writing, but they recognized the value of the portfolio's reflective log in facilitating the reflective process. There was greater agreement between students and mentors regarding discussions with mentors and among peers as tools to achieve higher levels of reflection. Overall, these students and mentors considered the strategy an effective tool for improving students' reflection.

E-Model for Online Learning Communities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the students' perspectives on the phenomenon of online learning communities while enrolled in a graduate dental hygiene program. METHODS: A qualitative case study method was designed to investigate the learners' experiences with communities in an online environment. A cross-sectional purposive sampling method was used. Interviews were the data collection method. As the original data were being analyzed, the researchers noted a pattern evolved indicating the phenomenon developed in stages. The data were re-analyzed and validated by 2 member checks. RESULTS: The participants' experiences revealed an e-model consisting of 3 stages of formal learning community development as core courses in the curriculum were completed and 1 stage related to transmuting the community to an informal entity as students experienced the independent coursework in the program. The development of the formal learning communities followed 3 stages: Building a Foundation for the Learning Community, Building a Supportive Network within the Learning Community and Investing in the Community to Enhance Learning. The last stage, Transforming the Learning Community, signaled a transition to an informal network of learners. The e-model was represented by 3 key elements: metamorphosis of relationships, metamorphosis through the affective domain and metamorphosis through the cognitive domain, with the most influential element being the affective development. CONCLUSION: The e-model describes a 4 stage process through which learners experience a metamorphosis in their affective, relationship and cognitive development. Synergistic learning was possible based on the interaction between synergistic relationships and affective actions.

[The extra value of training dental students in surgical skills]. / Evaluatie van het Chirurgisch Profiel binnen de 6-jarige opleiding in Nijmegen.

In 2010, the revised 3-year master's programme was introduced in the Netherlands, which meant that the full programme of dental education was extended to 6 years. In Nijmegen, this was structured to include a set of profile programmes, next to the existing curriculum. Three profiles were chosen, one of which was the Surgical Profile. The aim of this programme was that the more complex procedures and the treatment of medically compromised patients would be carried out by those students in the 6-year educational programme who participated in the Surgical Profile. The experiences of students following this profile were evaluated by means of a questionnaire. In a second questionnaire, distributed 1 year after the students had graduated, respondents were asked whether they were still making use of the skills that they had been taught. The conclusion was that the training of master's students in dental surgery results in a high degree of satisfaction. The study revealed moreover that 93% of the students who completed the Surgical Profile put the skills they had been taught to use during the first year as dentists and even wanted to build on that knowledge by means of relevant post-graduate courses.