Critical appraisal study skills among dental students in Kanpur rural region: A randomized control study

Abstract

Context: Critical appraisal (CA) is a way of determining and interpreting information by objectively considering its significance, results, and importance to an individual's work, and it is based on careful empirical assessment. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of CA exercises on the quality of preclinical tooth preparation skills and the confidence level of undergraduate dental students. Settings and Design: This was a randomized control study conducted at a private dental college in Kanpur rural region, Uttar Pradesh. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and forty-three student volunteers were randomly divided into CA (CA; n = 78) and control (C; n = 65) groups. Both groups were given a conventional lecture and video demonstrations; the CA group also gave CA exercises. Six evaluators assessed the incisor, canine, premolar, and molar preparations made by all students. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics were used to describe the groups across all parameters. An independent samples t-test was conducted to compare the eight parameters of the two groups. Results: The mean overall scores assigned to the CA group by all evaluators were significantly higher (independent t-test, P < 0.05) than the C group for incisor (CA: 6.19 ± 1.28, C: 5.34 ± 1.86), canine (CA: 5.88 ± 1.37, C: 4.94 ± 1.68), premolar (CA: 5.88 ± 1.09, C: 4.73 ± 1.19), and molar (CA: 5.94 ± 1.63, C: 5.39 ± 0.04) teeth. The CA group also demonstrated a significant increase in self-confidence over that of the C group (repeated measures general linear model F = 7.886, P = 0.0421). Conclusions: Critical assessment activities greatly enhanced undergraduate dental students' preclinical tooth preparation abilities, as well as their confidence level.