Educational Effectiveness of Education on the safe usage of a Carbon Dioxide Laser for Fourth Grade Students of Ohu University School of Dentistry

Abstract

Safety Instruction on the use of medical devices is an important factor in dental treatment. Although many dentists use various kinds of laser equipment in daily dental treatment, the importance of safety instruction on their use is not effectively conveyed in dental schools. We have been including laser irradiation practice to the current practice of operative dentistry for fourth grade students since 2005. Due to the lack of safety education and training on laser equipment, since last year we have included this topic as part of education. The aim of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of education on the safe usage of a carbon-dioxide laser for fourth grade dental students. The fourth grade students in 2010 and 2011 were divided into nine groups and completed a pre-practice questionnaire. Each group then received basic lectures on the principles and safe usage of the carbon dioxide laser, and was shown how to handle the laser instruments prior to laser irradiation practice. Each student irradiated white meat with the carbon dioxide laser, and then completed a post-practice questionnaire. Additionally, the same post-practice questionnaire, with the emphasis on safety, was completed by the fifth grade students of 2011 to confirm their knowledge retention of laser devices. Comparison of pre- and post-practice questionnaire results indicated the following: In the pre-practice questionnaire, many students showed some interest in laser dentistry. However, knowledge about laser equipment including safe usage was poor. In the post-practice questionnaire, almost all students understood the importance of protecting the eyes from laser light by wearing safety goggles. This knowledge was well retained one year after laser irradiation practice. The lecture and laser irradiation practice apparently stimulated the students' interest and their curiosity and gave them an incentive to study the mechanics of the carbon-dioxide laser. These results suggest that safety education carried out before clinical practice is very important, stimulates motivation, and is educationally effective.