A case-based learning model in orthodontics.

This report describes a case-based, student-centered instructional model designed to mimic orthodontic problem-solving and decision-making in dental general practice. Groups of about ten junior students meet in a series of one-hour seminars. One week prior to each seminar, a set of diagnostic data is distributed to every student and instructor for advance preparation. A list of questions is included to guide students through the analytical process and they record their diagnosis and treatment plan on a form. At each seminar two preassigned students lead the discussion, and others are randomly selected to answer the programmed questions. Instructors serve as facilitators and evaluators. To ensure consistency of evaluations and feedback, instructors are provided all the expected responses in advance, which they discuss in a pre-seminar meeting. Both students and instructors rated the seminars positively. Students reported significantly higher (p < 0.01) levels of confidence after the seminars for each of seven reasoning skills. This teaching method can be applied to other dental areas to better develop the clinical reasoning skills of future dentists.