Teaching paediatric dentistry by multimedia: a three-year report.

Area of Science:

• Dental Education Technology
• Multimedia Learning in Dentistry
• Pediatric Dentistry Case Management

Background:

• Traditional dental education methods are evolving with technological advancements.
• Multimedia simulations offer a dynamic approach to teaching complex clinical scenarios.
• Effective case management skills are crucial for dental students' clinical preparedness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate interactive multimedia modules for teaching pediatric dental case management.
• To assess dental students' engagement and learning experience with these novel educational tools.
• To determine the usability and effectiveness of multimedia simulations in a university dental curriculum.

Main Methods:

• Five distinct pediatric dental case modules were created using a multimedia presentation tool (PathFinder).
• Fourth-year dental students at The University of Melbourne utilized these modules for learning.
• Data collection involved anonymous questionnaires, focus groups, and an external educational expert review.

Main Results:

• The majority of dental students expressed strong enthusiasm for learning through multimedia case simulations.
• Student feedback indicated the modules were intuitive to navigate and suitably interactive.
• A small number of students reported a dislike for the multimedia learning approach.

Conclusions:

• Interactive multimedia modules are a viable and engaging tool for teaching pediatric dental case management.
• The developed modules successfully provided intellectual stimulation and immediate feedback, enhancing the learning experience.
• Multimedia simulations represent a valuable supplement to traditional dental education, fostering user interaction and practical skill development.