The Impact of Short-Format Training on Light Curing Technique in Dental Students and Dental Team Members

Studies show that short-duration trainings with real-time feedback can improve visible light curing unit (VLCU) technique among dental students. This study tested the effect of such trainings on individuals from different professional backgrounds (dental students, assistants, hygienists, and dentists).

Attendees (n = 109) at a large dental meeting were asked to light-cure a simulated occlusal Class I posterior restoration using a Managing Accurate Resin Curing Patient Simulator (MARC-PS) as they would in practice or Simulation Clinic. They were then provided visual feedback and short, technique-focused instruction before repeating the simulation. Differences in mean irradiance (mW/cm²), total radiant exposure (J/cm²), rates of minimally acceptable (> 6J/cm²), and optimal (≥ 16J/cm²) radiant exposures, and the stability of radiant exposure curve profiles were compared by profession before and after training using a combination of Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon Signed Rank, and χ² tests.

Results showed significant increases in mean irradiance (χ² = 32.8, p-value < 0.001), total radiant exposure (χ² = 17.304, p-value < 0.001), and rates of stable radiant exposure profiles (χ² = 32.5, p-value < 0.0001) after training for dental students, hygienists, and assistants. The magnitude of increase varied by profession, which hygienists showing the greatest increase. In addition, training had a stabilizing effect that lowered variance across groups and produced more uniform irradiance and total radiant exposure values regardless of professional background.

These short refresher trainings were an effective way to improve VLCU technique regardless of professional background and have the added benefit of producing uniformity across different members of the dental team.