Student experiences of two small group learning-teaching formats: Seminar and fishbowl.

INTRODUCTION: As teaching strategies, the seminar and fishbowl approaches promote active learning and shift the focus from the teacher to the learner. The aim of this study was to compare the self-reported perceptions of each student-centred teaching technique amongst a group of dental students as well as resultant quiz scores after each teaching technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the first semester of 2017, all year-3 (N = 88) Semiology and year-5 (N = 71) Oral Surgery students participated in weekly seminars in which teams of students from both cohorts were given an actual clinical case to study; a diagnosis and treatment plan would be rendered, and an oral case presentation would be presented to the rest of the class. In the second semester, the same students tried to solve similar clinical cases using the fishbowl training format. A course coordinator provided final feedback, and the session culminated with a quiz. Students were invited to provide quantitative and qualitative perceptions whilst quiz scores obtained during seminar and fishbowl teaching formats were compared. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 97 (61%) seminar and 92 (58%) fishbowl students provided insights regarding these teaching techniques. Both cohorts believed the fishbowl format allowed them to be actively involved. However, only year-3 students gave the fishbowl format a significantly higher score than the seminar format, considering it an attractive format that allowed them to learn. In contrast, year-5 students believed the seminars met their expectations better than the fishbowl format. Interesting clinical cases as well as the final round of feedback were qualitative themes reported by both cohorts. The mean seminar and fishbowl quiz scores were statistically significant different for year-3 students (P < 0.0001), but not for year-5 students (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a more structured small-group learning-teaching format can be implemented for younger students whilst at the same time allowing more flexible organisation for senior students.

Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship Selection Criteria: A National Program Director Survey.

BACKGROUND: Candidate characteristics for craniofacial fellowship training still remain unknown, as no data are available in the literature. This study aims to provide information on the criteria that are used to select and rank applicants for the craniofacial surgery fellowship match. METHOD: A 38-question survey was sent in April 2015 to all craniofacial surgery fellowship program directors (n = 29) involved in the US match using QuestionPro Survey Software. The survey investigated factors used for selection of applicants, including medical school, residency training, research experience, fellowship interview, and candidate characteristics. A 5-point Likert scale was used to grade 33 factors from "not at all important" (1) to "essential in making my decision" (5); or for 5 controversial factors from "very negative impact" (1) to "very positive impact in making my decision" (5). RESULTS: A total of 62% (18 out of 29) of responses were received from craniofacial surgery program directors. The most important factors were professionalism and ethics (4.7 ±â€Š0.5), perceived commitment to craniofacial surgery (4.6 ±â€Š0.8), interactions with faculty and staff (4.5 ±â€Š0.5), interpersonal skills (4.5 ±â€Š0.5), and overall interview performance (4.4 ±â€Š0.6). Factors that have a negative impact on the selection process include graduation from a nonplastic surgery residency program (1.9 ±â€Š0.7) or a non-US plastic surgery residency program (2.2 ±â€Š0.6), and visa requirement (2.2 ±â€Š0.5). CONCLUSION: This study provides data on craniofacial surgery program directors' perception on the criteria important for fellowship applicant selection. It is our hope that program directors, residency programs, and applicants find this data useful as they prepare for the craniofacial fellowship match.

Decision making in third molar surgery: a survey of Brazilian oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

This study was designed to evaluate the variations in decision making among Brazilian oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) and trainees in relation to third molar surgery. A survey on 18 diverse clinical situations related to the assessment and treatment of the third molar surgeries was conducted during the 20th Brazilian National OMFS meeting. Participants were divided into three groups according to their level of training. Another variable studied was length of experience. Correlation between the question answers and the variables was analysed using the chi-square test and the f test. The mean age of participants was 32.68 years, and their mean length of experience was 5.24 years. There were no statistical differences between the level of training and number of years of experience and the responses to 15 of the 18 questions on clinical situations. However, differences were found in responses to prophylactic extraction of asymptomatic third molars, use of non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during the preoperative surgical period and the use of additional imaging to plan extractions. The group with shorter time of experience (3.8 ± 3.94 years) tended to recommend extractions of asymptomatic third molars more frequently compared with the more experienced surgeons (P = 0.041). More experienced surgeons used NSAIDs in the preoperative surgical period, whereas the majority of the youngest surgeons (4.1 ± 5.96 years of experience) did not (P = 0.0042). The certificated trained and in practice group tended to treat deep lower third molar impactions based on the findings of a panoramic radiograph, without obtaining additional imaging [cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)] before treatment (P = 0.0132). Decision making regarding third molar treatment differs according to the level of training and is influenced by the number of years of experience. Therefore, further continuous education programmes in this area are warranted to make recommendations regarding third molars consistent with the current literature.

Percepciones de los cirujanos máxilofaciales chilenos acerca del doble grado médico-dental / Perceptions of chilean oral and maxillofacial surgeons about dual-degree

Introducción: El doble grado médico-dental (DG) en cirugía máxilofacial continúa siendo una cuestión controversial y sin resolver en muchos países, aunque hay una fuerte tendencia hacia su implementación en el mundo desarrollado. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la percepción de los cirujanos máxilofaciales chilenos acerca del DG y su postura frente a la necesidad de implementarlo en el país. Metodología: Encuesta electrónica, realizada en la plataforma web LimeSurvey, incluyendo todos los cirujanos registrados en la Sociedad de Cirugía y Traumatología Bucal y Máxilofacial de Chile. El cuestionario incluyó 2 secciones: práctica quirúrgica y percepciones del DG. Resultados: 67 por ciento (61) cirujanos completaron la encuesta, la mayoría hombres, con más de 5 años de práctica quirúrgica y experiencia docente en la especialidad. 55,74 por ciento (34) consideran que la implementación de programas DG es necesaria en Chile. Hay asociación de la postura pro-DG y la práctica hospitalaria, conocimiento del doble grado, necesidad de mayores habilidades/conocimiento médico en la práctica diaria, necesidad del DG para practicar el campo completo de la especialidad y la opinión que los programas de especialización chilenos no están al nivel internacional. Conclusión: En Chile, como en otros países, hay una visión dicotómica del DG y parece perfectamente posible iniciar una discusión propositiva del tema.

Introduction: Dual-degree (DD) in oral and maxillofacial surgery still remains a controversial and/ or unsolved issue in many countries, although there is a growing trend towards its implementation in the developed world. The aim of this research is to describe the perceptions of Chilean oral and maxillofacial surgeons about DD and their position regarding the need of its implementation in Chile. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was performed via the LimeSurvey web platform, included all surgeons registered in the Chilean Society. The questionnaire comprised two sections dedicated to surgical practice and perceptions about DD, respectively. Results: 67% (61) of surgeons completed the survey, main proportion men with more than 5 years of surgical practice, and experience in training teaching. 55.74% (34) considered the implementation of DD programs in Chile necessary. There are correlations between this pro-DD position and hospital practice, knowledge about DD, the need for more medical skills/knowledge in daily practice, the need for DD to perform the full scope of OMS, and the opinion that Chilean training programs are not practicing at an International level. Conclusion: In Chile, as in other countries, there is a dichotomic view of DD, and it appears absolutely possible to initiate a propositive discussion about it.

The use of anatomical models for learning anesthesia techniques in oral surgery.

AIM: The objective of this work is to present a new collaborative method for teaching administration of anesthetic block in dentistry, with three-dimensional anatomical models used to improve learning and thereby increase safety, reduce anxiety, and improve the performance of students during the administration of anesthesia in the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional (3D) models of skulls were made that reproduced all innervations of the V th cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), as well as some blood vessels, glands, and muscles of mastication. For teaching the local anesthetic techniques we prepared pictures and videos of the administration of anesthesia in the models , which were presented to 130 students in two universities in Brazil. With the help of the models the students could follow the path of the nerves to be anesthetized and identify the anatomical points of reference for the correct positioning of the needle in the tissues. After the presentation the students answered a questionnaire aiming to assess the effect of the 3D models on learning. RESULTS: Eighty-eight percent of students rated the material as excellent, 12% as good, 0% as regular, and 0% as bad (unnecessary materials). After the presentation, 70% of the students felt confident about being able to achieve the nerve block in patients. CONCLUSION: When exposed to an appropriate method, students recognized the importance of knowledge of anatomy for learning local anesthetic techniques. This method improved the quality of education and increased patient safety during the first injection.

The evolution of oral and maxillofacial surgery in Colombia: from the dental school of Bogotá to Waldemar Wilhelm and his legacy.

The evolution of the dental specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) in Colombia can be attributed to a myriad of altruistic, visionary leaders who paved the way for future generations. The process started with the indigenous groups who inhabited Colombia before Spanish rule, and continued with the founding of the Dental School of Bogotá in 1888 and the subsequent efforts of Waldemar Wilhelm in 1950, and consolidated with Wilhelm's legacy and surgical descendants. This article recognizes the pioneers, analyzes the circumstances under which they worked, describes how Colombian oral and maxillofacial surgeons fought plastic surgeons for the right to be in the operating room, and details the events involved in the structuring of the different oral and maxillofacial surgery residency programs in Colombia today.

Accelerating surgical training and reducing the burden of surgical disease in Haiti before and after the earthquake.

In general, university-based global health initiatives have tended to focus on expanding access to primary care. In the past, surgical programs may have been characterized by sporadic participation with little educational focus. However, there have been some notable exceptions with plastic surgery volunteer missions. We offer another model of regularly scheduled surgical trips to rural Haiti in plastic and general surgery. The goal of these trips is to reduce the burden of surgical disease and ultimately repair every cleft lip/palate in Haiti. Another principal objective is to accelerate the training of American residents through increased case load and personal interaction with attending surgeons in a concentrated period. Diversity of the case load and the overall number of surgeries performed by residents in a typical surgical trip outpaces the experiences available during a typical week in an American hospital setting. More importantly, we continue to provide ongoing training to Haitian nurses and surgeons in surgical techniques and postoperative care. Our postoperative complication rate has been relatively low. Our follow-up rates have been lower than 70% despite intensive attempts to maintain continued communication with our patients. Through our experiences in surgical care in rural Haiti, we were able to quickly ramp up our trauma and orthopedic surgical care immediately after the earthquake. Project Medishare and the University of Miami continue to operate a trauma and acute care hospital in Port au Prince. The hospital provides ongoing orthopedic, trauma, and neurosurgical expertise from the rotating teams of American surgeons and training of Haitian surgeons in modern surgical techniques. We believe that surgical residencies in the United States can improve their training programs and reduce global surgical burden of disease through consistent trips and working closely with country partners.