2020 Volume 36 Issue 3 Pages 144-149
Abstract At the Asahi University School of Dentistry, we have offered hands-on training in microscope use since 2018 as an optional program for undergraduate students in clinical practicum/training in the Department of Endodontics. In the present study, we investigated the pedagogical efficacy of the demonstrations and training included in this program.
The 23 students who took the optional program practiced on a model maxillary left first premolar fitted to a model jaw. They first listened to an oral explanation of how to adjust the interpupillary distance and diopter and how to change the focal distance and magnification. After the explanation, the amounts of time they took to focus on the palatal root canal orifice of the model tooth at maximum magnification and to use a dental explorer to remove composite resin applied to the palatal tooth surface were measured. The students then watched demonstrations and underwent training on matters including how to change the focal distance, magnification, mirror, and finger rest placement and positioning. The amounts of time required for the same operations were then measured again. The time it took the instructors to perform each of these operations was also measured for the purpose of comparison.
Although the time required to focus decreased significantly after instruction, it remained far longer than the instructorsʼ time. The time required to remove the composite resin also decreased significantly after instruction, at which point it was similar to the instructorsʼ time. These results suggested that the demonstrations and training in this practical program were pedagogically effective in teaching undergraduate students in clinical practicum/training how to operate a microscope.
