Abstract
ObjectivesTraditionally, the acquisition of manual skills in most dental schools worldwide is based on exercises on plastic teeth placed in a "phantom head simulator". No manual trainings are done at home. Studies revealed that preliminary training of one motoric task leads to significant improvement in performance of the required motoric task that has similar components. Performing tasks indirectly via a dental mirror are complicated for the young dental students. We hypothesized that instructed training of basic skills required in dentistry at home on a tool simulating the phantom laboratory will improve the capabilities of the students and will be reflected by their clinical grades.MethodsWe developed a portable tool PhantHome which is composed of jaws, gingival tissue, rubber cover and a compatible stand. Specific teeth produced by a 3D printer with drills in different directions were placed in both jaws. Students were requested to insert pins by using tweezers and dental mirror according to instructions initiating with easy tasks and continue to ones that are more complicated. 106 first clinical year dental students participated in the study; 65 trained only in the traditional phantom lab (control). 41 trained at home by the PhantHome tool two weeks before and 2 months during the initial stage of phantom lab. The students grades routinely provided in the phantom laboratory at different stages were compared.ResultsStudents who trained with the portable tool performed better than the control group in the first direct and second indirect preparations (p<0.05). These exams were taken when the PhantHome was available to the students. Then, the tool was returned and the phantom course continued regularly. We believe that this is why no differences between the grades of the groups were observed further on.ConclusionsTraining by the PhantHome improves motor skills and consequently the clinical performances.
Highlights
Most medical professions require manual capabilities, in particular surgeons, including dental surgeons that have to demonstrate a high ability of manual dexterity skills and high level of proprioception recognition in every treatment
A novel portable tool, named "PhantHome" was developed for the purpose of home training for dentistry students in basic skills required in the phantom course
That includes the insertion of small pins by using tweezers and dental mirrors on similar artificial jaws, doesn’t simulate cavity preparation, it trains some of the components needed in cavity preparation such as orientation in the oral cavity, manipulation of instruments in direct vision and especially in indirect vision and grip control
Summary
Most medical professions require manual capabilities, in particular surgeons, including dental surgeons that have to demonstrate a high ability of manual dexterity skills and high level of proprioception recognition in every treatment. Dental students have to acquire comprehensive theoretical knowledge as well as specific manual skills during their early dental education. This capability is developed by training on artificial plastic teeth placed in a "phantom head simulator"[1]. This training includes clinical tasks using direct vision and indirect vision via a dental mouth mirror. Dexterity can be improved after training over the course of time [2] ("practice makes perfect"[3]), a considerable number of students are not allowed to advance to the clinical studies and treat patients due to inadequate performance in pre-clinical simulation courses [4]. As manual performance can be improved by means of a positive transfer of motor learning, training tools to enhance performance in preclinical courses have been developed [5,6,7]
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