Innovation in dental education: The "On-the-Fly" approach to simultaneous development, implementation and evidence...

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Educational Technology
• Innovation Implementation

Background:

• Addresses the challenge of implementing innovations with limited initial evidence.
• Highlights the tension between evidence-based practices and novel approaches in education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline and illustrate the "on-the-fly" approach for educational innovation.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous development, implementation, and evidence collection.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the "on-the-fly" approach during the design and implementation of the MOOG Simodont Dental Trainer (DT).
• Systematically collected evidence throughout the innovation process.

Main Results:

• The "on-the-fly" approach is feasible in academic settings, benefiting professionals, users, and developers.
• Stepwise evidence collection strengthened the technology's position and increased stakeholder acceptance.
• Demonstrating evidence-based improvements facilitated buy-in for the new technology.

Conclusions:

• The "on-the-fly" approach proactively clarifies the need for evidence collection during innovation.
• This approach requires stakeholder support to gather evidence for improvement and facilitate implementation.
• Essential for pioneering new technologies where development precedes effectiveness data.