Evaluating a New Technology-Enhanced Curriculum for Teaching Nutrition in a Dental Hygiene Degree Program

Area of Science:

• Dental Hygiene Education
• Nutrition Science
• Medical Education Technology

Background:

• Traditional lecture-based nutrition education may not fully engage students.
• Developing effective, technology-enhanced learning materials is crucial for health professions.
• Interprofessional education (IPE) is vital for modern healthcare practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of video-based nutrition education cases on dental hygiene students.
• To assess changes in students' knowledge, skills, and perceptions regarding nutrition.
• To explore the effectiveness of a technology-enhanced curriculum in improving educational experiences.

Main Methods:

• A pre/post study design compared traditional lectures (2020) with a new curriculum (2021).
• The enhanced curriculum involved online case previews, in-class discussions, and case assessments.
• Surveys using a 5-point Likert scale measured changes in 15 variables.

Main Results:

• Students reported higher agreement with statements regarding preparation, understanding, and critical thinking (p<0.05).
• The new curriculum maintained student interest in both online and classroom components.
• Qualitative feedback indicated a desire for more case discussions and social interaction.

Conclusions:

• The video-based nutrition cases significantly improved dental hygiene students' outcomes.
• The curriculum fostered interprofessional collaboration between dietetic and dental hygiene students.
• This educational approach enhanced student experiences and professional skill development.