An assessment of computer-assisted learning in orthodontics.

Programs developed in BASIC for the Apple II permit the presentation of orthodontic case histories in an interactive way. Clinical observation and decisions may be monitored by multiple choice questions and marked to provide a final score. In comparisons between a CAL program and traditional tutorial teaching, 60 dental undergraduates obtained higher average scores after CAL. It is concluded that the CAL presentation of orthodontics clinical data is an effective and popular addition to traditional teaching.