LECTURE METHOD;

Abstract

Background: Universal tooth numbering system is an old topic of oral anatomy course. MICAP is a new tooth notation but it is not yet in dental curriculum. Aim: To compare the learning of MICAP (new) vs Universal (old) tooth notations using lecture method. Method: Designs: A pre-test and post-test design. Settings: Islamic International Dental College – Islamabad. Period: October 2016 to February 2017. Participants: Novice undergraduate first year dental students (N=45) participated in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Interventions: MICAP and Universal tooth notations were taught to group A and B respectively by a 30 minute lecture prepared on power point slides in similar sequence. The study participants, before any intervention, completed fourteen randomly selected permanent teeth using Universal and MICAP notation method as pretest data and after eight weeks, posttest data were collected. Chi square test was applied for analysis. Results: The posttest showed an improved learning of two notations by both groups. Over all, no significant difference was found in correct write up of given set of fourteen teeth for two notations except ‘Maxillary right central incisor, Mandibular left canine’ and Mandibular Right 2nd Premolar (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Learning of new (MICAP) notation was as easy as the old (Universal) numbering system. However, this was a small scale study and multiple teaching centers with larger number of participants are recommended.