The multi-factor analysis of computer-based test scores in objective structured clinical examination of clerkship in school of dentistry, National Taiwan University.

Background/purpose: The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is a test designed to test technical, clinical, and practical competency in medicine teaching. This study tried to evaluate the influencing factors of the computer-based tests (CBT) results for dental students. Materials and methods: The 32 5th-year dental students of the dental school of National Taiwan University (NTU) joined preclinical CBT. The contents of CBT included clinical knowledge and practical skills of nine dental specialties. Twenty single-choice questions were played with the PowerPoint 2016 on a desktop, and the playing time for each question was 30 s. Several factors including the gender, age, and dental student admission ways (with or without the skill tests) were evaluated. Also, the comparison between the clerk's grade and CBT scores of nine dental specialties was performed. The students also filled the feedback questionnaire about the examination questions and suggestions for the CBT. Results: There were no significant differences in the mean CBT scores between male and female dental students, between two groups of dental students with or without the skill tests in the admission process, and among three different age groups of dental students. The clerk's scores were not directly related to the CBT scores. Conclusion: The CBT has been well-intentioned in dental education since 2022 in Taiwan. The CBT results revealed that the conjunction of knowledge from the textbook and clinical observation should be enhanced. The guideline should be established to integrate CBT into preclinical education and promote the performance of clinical work of dental students.

The analysis and feedback from the performance of pre-clinical operation skills tests for clerkship in School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University in 2022.

Background/purpose: The simulated pre-clinical operation skill test (PCOST) is part of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and designed for clinical practice using manikins, physical typodonts, and instruments in the laboratory. This study tried to evaluate the influencing factors of the PCOST results for dental students. Materials and methods: The 32 5th-year dental students of the dental school of National Taiwan University (NTU) joined the PCOST. The contents of PCOST included two specialties: operative dentistry (OD) and prosthodontics (PS). The examination content of OD was tooth 36 mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavity preparation, and that of PS was crown preparation and temporary crown fabrication of tooth 11. Several factors including the gender, age, and dental student admission ways (with or without the skill tests) were evaluated. Each scoring item was calculated. The students also filled the feedback questionnaire about the examination questions and suggestions for the PCOST. Results: For both OD and PS, there were no significant differences in the mean PCOST scores between male and female dental students, between two groups of dental students with or without the skill tests in the admission process, and among three different age groups of dental students. According to the feedback questionnaire from the participated dental students, they were satisfied with the PCOST. Conclusion: The PCOST is a good simulated examination in clinical practice. However, we still need to collect more PCOST data and feedback to revise the guideline of the PCOST, and to promote the performance of clinical works of dental students.

Total solution of a smart shade matching.

Background/purpose: The simulated color of restorations plays an important role in improving patient satisfaction. The aim of this study was to test a new intelligent colorimetric solution using the Advanced Reflectionless Technology (ART) monitor and compare them using commercially available shade systems. Materials and methods: Six participants' right maxillary central incisors were tested with three devices, including the AUO Display Plus (Group A), a Canon single-lens reflex camera with eLAB's polar eyes filter (Group E), and the VITA Easyshade V (Group V). Each porcelain tooth was divided into three areas, and was assigned a CIELAB L∗a∗b∗ value by using the VITA Easyshade V. The original data were compared with the CIELAB L∗a∗b∗ obtained using the VITA Easyshade V. A prosthodontist compared the color of the porcelain veneers by eyes and gave the scores from 1 to 3. Results: For the ΔE, the three areas of Group A had the smallest differences between the color of the fabricated teeth and that of the original teeth. Colorimetric analysis indicated that Groups A and V did not differ much in the color of the three areas of the tooth. Groups E and A exhibited significant differences between the cervical third and middle third of the tooth, and Groups E and V exhibited significant differences between the middle third and incisal third of the tooth. Conclusion: Compared with traditional monitors, ART is closer to real images in terms of color, contrast, and detail grayscale. Technicians are able to produce realistic and pleasing colors.

Trends of participation of post-graduate year training program for dentists in Taiwan dental training institutions from 2010 to 2018.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The licensed dentists in Taiwan should join the post-graduate year training program for dentists (PGYD) since 2010. This study aimed to analyze the project types and the geographical distribution of the PGYD training institutions in Taiwan from 2010 to 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2010 to 2018, 735 hospitals and clinics participated in four types of PGYD project including hospital as the single training institution (project A), clinic as the single training institution (project B), hospital as the main training institution in the joint training group (project C), and clinic as the main training institution in the joint training group (project D). The project types and the geographical distribution of the training institutions were analyzed. RESULTS: The 735 PGYD training projects were proposed by the 735 dental institutions. The project number grew from 119 in 2010 to 195 in 2018. The most common project type was project B (307, 41.8%), followed by the project A (249, 33.9%), the project D (101, 13.7%), and the project C (78, 10.6%). Geographically, these 735 main training institutions were located most commonly in northern region of Taiwan (379, 51.6%), followed by the central region of Taiwan (171, 23.3%), southern region of Taiwan (156, 21.2%), and eastern region of Taiwan (29, 3.9%). CONCLUSION: Hospital or clinic as the single training institution is the two most common PGYD project types in Taiwan from 2010 to 2018. These single or main dental training institutions are mainly located in the northern, central, and southern regions of Taiwan.

Summative objective structured clinical examination as a reference of learners' need before entering their internship.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) has found increasingly wide use in the education of clinical dentistry in recent years. The objectives of this study were to find the predictability of OSCE in representing a student's actual ability in a clinical environment and to provide instructors with better ideas to guide an individual student in a certain field. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one dentistry students' qualification OSCE scores were obtained after the conclusion of their dental clerkship in December 2014. The OSCE scores were compared with the various scores given by instructors from different departments during their internship a year later. The correlation was investigated between these two scores. RESULTS: The scores of the first station of OSCE-explaining a treatment plan for the restoration of a missing tooth-were correlated with the scores of prosthodontics in the internship. The scores of the fourth station of OSCE-explaining to a mother regarding the obtainment of a radiograph of her child's tooth-were correlated with the scores of orthodontics. In addition, the total score of the six OSCE stations was correlated with the scores of orthodontics, oral surgery, and pediatric dentistry during dental internship. CONCLUSION: The results of clerkship qualification OSCE could provide instructors with insights into the needs of the students before their entering internship.

Sirtuin 6 Modulates Hypoxia-induced Apoptosis in Osteoblasts via Inhibition of Glycolysis: Implication for Pathogenesis of Periapical Lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoblast apoptosis is important in the regulation of inflammatory bone resorption. Hypoxia resulting from inflammation enhances glycolysis and apoptosis. Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is a modulator of glucose metabolism and apoptosis. In the study we assessed the role of SIRT6 in hypoxia-induced glycolysis and apoptosis in osteoblasts, with special attention on the significance of these cellular processes in periapical lesions. METHODS: Human bone marrow-derived osteoblasts were cultured under hypoxia. Expression of lactate dehydrogenase A was examined by Western blot, and production of lactate was measured by colorimetric assay. Cleavage of poly (adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase was used as an apoptosis marker and assessed by Western blot. SIRT6 was overexpressed in osteoblasts by lentiviral gene transduction, and then glycolytic and apoptotic responses were studied. In a rat model of bacteria-induced periapical lesions, expressions of SIRT6 and markers of glycolysis and apoptosis in osteoblasts were examined. RESULTS: Hypoxia enhanced lactate dehydrogenase A expression and lactate production in osteoblasts. Poly (adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase cleavage was induced by hypoxia or lactate treatment. SIRT6 suppressed hypoxia-augmented glycolysis and inhibited apoptosis induced by hypoxia or lactate treatment. Expression of SIRT6 in osteoblasts was downregulated by hypoxia and inflammatory mediators. Development of periapical lesions in rats was associated with decreased expression of SIRT6 and increased glycolysis and apoptosis in osteoblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that hypoxia-induced apoptosis of osteoblasts is dependent on glycolytic activity. SIRT6 is a negative regulator of inflammation and may alleviate periapical lesions by suppressing osteoblastic glycolysis and apoptosis.