Effect of a training model in local anesthesia teaching.

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Anesthesiology
• Clinical Skills Training

Background:

• Local anesthesia administration is a core dental skill.
• Effective training methods are crucial for developing clinical proficiency and patient comfort.
• Preclinical training models offer a simulated environment for practicing procedures before patient contact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of preclinical training models on the clinical administration of local anesthesia by dental students.
• To evaluate the perceptions of both students performing injections and their recipients regarding the training model's influence.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-five dental students performed their first local anesthetic injection on a peer.
• Twenty-two students had prior experience with a preclinical training model; forty-three did not.
• Questionnaires collected subjective feedback from both the injector and the recipient post-injection.

Main Results:

• The use of a training model did not significantly alter the self-reported opinions of the students who administered the injection.
• Recipients perceived students trained on models as significantly more confident and calm.
• A trend towards decreased pain upon needle insertion and reduced lip-tingling sensation was reported by recipients of injections from trained students.

Conclusions:

• Preclinical training models in local anesthesia teaching can enhance the perceived competence and calmness of dental students.
• Simulation-based training may positively influence patient experience, including reduced pain and paresthesia, during local anesthetic administration.
• Integrating training models into dental curricula is recommended for improving local anesthesia delivery and patient outcomes.