Case-based learning in undergraduate orthodontic education: A cross sectional study

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Orthodontics
• Medical Pedagogy

Background:

• Student-centered learning enhances higher-order cognitive skills in health professionals.
• Aligning learner perceptions with new interventions is crucial for effective learning.
• Case-based learning (CBL) is a pedagogical approach that uses real-world cases to facilitate learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore undergraduate dental students' learning experiences with case-based learning in orthodontics.
• To assess student perceptions of the benefits and challenges of CBL in orthodontic education.

Main Methods:

• A case-based learning model was implemented for final-year dental students in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.
• A survey using a validated questionnaire assessed student perceptions and experiences with CBL.
• The study included 67 final-year dental students with a 100% response rate.

Main Results:

• All students perceived CBL as an effective strategy for learning orthodontic content.
• CBL was found to be helpful in improving students' skills in orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and teamwork.
• No significant challenges or barriers to student learning were identified with the CBL approach.

Conclusions:

• Undergraduate dental students reported high acceptance of CBL in orthodontic teaching.
• CBL was perceived to have a positive impact on students' educational experiences.
• CBL is an appropriate strategy for enhancing dental students' diagnostic, treatment planning, and teamwork skills.