Comparison of the Effects of Traditional with Combined (Traditional and Electronic) Educational Methods on Promoting the Practical Skill of Fabricating the Removable Orthodontic Appliance

Introduction: Computer aided education can compensate for some deficiencies and limitations of traditional education. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of e-learning, as an adjunctive method of traditional education, in the form of video clips and PowerPoint presentations on the skills of fabricating the wire components of removable orthodontic appliance in the preclinical course of dental students. Methods: This prospective quasi-experimental study was performed on 40 eighth semester dental students who were taking the course practical orthodontics 1 in Tabriz School of Dentistry in 2012-13 academic year. Participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly divided into two groups. The control group received traditional trainings including practical training of fabricating the wire components of removable orthodontic appliance, and the experimental group received the same plus e-learning. The skills in fabricating three major components of removable orthodontic appliance namely Z spring, Adams clasp and labial bow were evaluated using a 21-item checklist. Data were analyzed by means of independent and paired t-tests. Results: The mean scores of the control and the experimental groups were 14.2±1.4 and 15.5±1.8 (out of 20) respectively and their difference was statistically significant (P=0.026, t=2.31). The mean score of labial bow fabrication was higher in the experimental group than that of the control group (p=0.01, t=2.72). However, the mean scores of Z spring and Adams clasp fabrication were not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusion: Using E-learning as an adjunctive method of traditional education can improve the practical skills of fabricating the wire components of removable orthodontic appliances.