Practical training using BEWE aimed at improving the diagnosis ability of erosive tooth wear for dental students—A randomized trial

Abstract

Introduction

Erosive tooth wear (ETW) has been gaining attention due to its high prevalence. However, ETW clinical diagnosis is difficult and may go unnoticed by many professionals. The present study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate a theoretical–practical training using active methodologies in the development of undergraduate students' skills for the diagnosis of ETW compared to the traditional teaching method.

Materials and Methods

This randomized controlled study involved two parallel groups: control group (n = 22), with learning based only on theoretical content and test group (n = 24), learning by theoretical–practical activity mediated by monitors/tutors. The theoretical class covered the current concepts of ETW, aetiology, diagnosis, use of the BEWE index, prevention and treatment. The practical training included exercises and discussions based on the diagnosis using BEWE scores of a collection of images and extracted teeth. To evaluate the efficacy of the teaching–learning methods, a theoretical multiple-choice questionnaire and a practical test using images and extracted teeth were applied. The outcome was the number of correct answers. Groups were compared by Mann–Whitney (theoretical knowledge) and T tests (practical ability in diagnosis) (p < .05).

Results

There was no significant difference between groups in the theoretical evaluation (p = .866). The test group showed higher ability to diagnose ETW lesions compared to the control group in the practical tests (p = .001). The performance of ETW diagnosis was similar when images were used in comparison to extracted teeth (p = .570).

Conclusion

The practical activity associated with theoretical classes can be a promising strategy to improve the development of undergraduate students' skills in the diagnosis of ETW.