Effectiveness of an endodontic diagnosis computer simulation program.

The effectiveness of a recently developed endodontic diagnosis computer simulation program was examined. Third-year dental students (n = 90) in three successive academic classes were given a pre-test in endodontic diagnosis before any endodontic instruction, and then received ten lectures on diagnostic techniques, endodontic pathology, and radiographic interpretation. The students were subsequently divided into three equal groups not differing statistically on their pre-test results. The first group used an endodontic computer simulation program containing fifteen patient simulations for one hour. The second group had a small-group seminar aiming to cover the same material as in the computer program in the same time period. The third group (control) had no further instruction. The three groups then took a post-test to evaluate their diagnostic knowledge in endodontics. The improvement of scores from pre- to post-test in the three groups were statistically different (p = 0.018). The simulation group students improved significantly more than the seminar group (p = 0.05) and the Control Group (p = 0.0024). Difference in improvement between the seminar group and the control group was not statistically significant (p = 0.20). Students were able to cover more cases on average using the simulation program than were covered in the seminar (t-test, p < 0.0001).

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes