Evaluation of dental hygiene learning outcomes through smartphone-based educational slides targeting dental hygienists: A pilot study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Education reflecting fundamental knowledge is required for competent health care providers, but often lectures are not available for this purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the dental hygiene learning outcomes following the presentation of web-based slides on a smartphone to dental hygienists. METHODS: A two-group nonblinded quasi-experimental design was used for this study. Forty-six dental hygienists were assigned to a study (n = 31) or control group (n = 15). The study group viewed 22 slides on fundamental oral health knowledge using smartphones. Pre and postviewing tests (score range 1-13) and a questionnaire were conducted to evaluate knowledge acquisition and to receive feedback from participants. Differences between the study and control group and intrastudy group differences were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: The fundamental knowledge of dental hygienists improved after viewing the slides the study group had a significantly higher mean score than the control group (10.87 vs. 6.60; p < 0.001). Study group participants also had substantially higher post-test than pretest knowledge scores (mean 10.87 vs. 6.26, p < 0.001). In the questionnaire, more than 85% of the participants answered that the content of the slides would be useful in their clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Smartphone-based educational slides were beneficial for conveying fundamental and recent oral health knowledge to dental hygienists.