Wisdom Tooth Extraction Training for Dental Students: Step-by-Step or All-in-One?

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Surgical Skills Training

Background:

• Impacted wisdom tooth extraction is a complex procedure for novice dental students.
• Evaluating different pedagogical approaches is crucial for effective surgical training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of step-by-step versus all-in-one teaching methods for impacted wisdom tooth extraction.
• To assess the impact on students' practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and learning satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Fifty dental students were randomized into step-by-step (Group S) and all-in-one (Group A) teaching groups.
• Skills were evaluated using the Assessment of Competency in Exodontia Skills (ACES) and theoretical knowledge via a test.
• Student satisfaction was measured through a questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Group S achieved significantly higher ACES scores, indicating superior clinical performance (p < 0.05).
• No significant difference in theoretical knowledge was observed between groups (p > 0.05).
• Group S reported higher general satisfaction, with hands-on practice and teaching sessions positively influencing overall satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• The step-by-step teaching method is more effective for enhancing clinical skills and student satisfaction in impacted wisdom tooth extraction training.
• Incremental learning approaches are recommended for dental education to improve clinical competencies and learning experiences.