Effect of preclinical training in periodontal instrumentation on undergraduate students' anxiety, clinical performance, satisfaction.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of preclinical training using instructional typodont-phantom head on undergraduate students' anxiety levels, clinical performance, and satisfaction.

Materials & methods: Sixty-fourth-year students from Istanbul Okan University with no clinical periodontal experience were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received one hour of theoretical periodontal training on comprehensive examination and supragingival instrumentation. Group 1 received only theoretical training, while Group 2 additionally completed 60 min of hands-on preclinical training using a typodont-phantom head with artificial calculus. Before their first patient procedures, students completed a state anxiety test and afterward rated their training satisfaction on a VAS. Clinical performance was assessed using a scaling operation score sheet.

Results: Group 2 had significantly higher clinical performance (77.67 ± 17.17) and satisfaction scores (8.23 ± 1.79) compared to Group 1 (59.93 ± 15.38 and 6.67 ± 1.62, respectively; p < 0.05). No significant difference in state anxiety scores was observed between groups, nor any correlation between anxiety and clinical performance.

Conclusion: Preclinical training in periodontal instrumentation improved clinical performance and satisfaction but did not affect anxiety. Integrating theoretical and practical preclinical training with a typodont-phantom model can enhance learning outcomes.

Clinical trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT06593873) on 10/09/2024.