Teaching dental anatomy & morphology: An updated clinical- & digital-based learning module.

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Morphology and Anatomy

Background:

• Traditional dental anatomy lectures often fail to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical application.
• Students struggle to transfer textbook-based learning to practical dental activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an updated dental anatomy module.
• To compare student evaluations of the updated module (CDM) versus the traditional module (TM).

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a clinically based dental anatomy module at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.
• Integration of digital technologies and a patient-based aesthetic wax-up exercise.
• Focus on active, clinically applicable learning over decontextualized technical skills.

Main Results:

• Statistical analysis using a two-sample t-test revealed significantly higher student ratings for the updated module.
• The updated module demonstrated enhanced student engagement and assessment outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The updated dental anatomy module was highly rated by students, indicating its effectiveness.
• Clinical dental anatomy teaching enhances student engagement and assessment, suggesting a need for updated educational methods.
• Further research and strategic planning are required for optimal integration of digital technology in dental curricula.