A New Approach to Undergraduate Clinical Teaching of Pediatric Dentistry : Effects of Brushing Instructions Using Leaflets on Undergraduate Students

Abstract

 Abstract The importance of clinical training for undergraduates is well known, though it is difficult to provide training on dental treatment for undergraduate students because of the complicated nature of the child/guardian relationship with the dentist in the field (pediatric triangle) of pediatric dentistry. In 2020, various aspects of undergraduate clinical training were reformed at our institution, one of which was teaching proper brushing by using a leaflet that described the method. The leaflet used was created by the undergraduate students. After brushing instruction, a questionnaire survey of the students was conducted. The results showed that the students were better able to understand brushing instructions thanks to that approach. These results, which were obtained by self-learning about brushing and actually giving brushing instruction, reconfirmed the importance of undergraduate clinical training, and suggested that reformation of clinical training led to improvements in learning as well as increased motivation of the students to undergo more substantial training.