Student Perception and Learning: ‘Applied Cariology' Pilot in Ghana

Objectives: To investigate ability of an educational program to assist novice Ghanaian dental students in delivering simple, sustainable oral health care by measuring student-perceptions and student-learning efficacy. Methods: Short-course ‘Applied Cariology' was developed to educate and train novice dental students to deliver sustainable oral health care (atraumatic restorative treatment: ART). The course was delivered in 3 blocks A, B, C over 8 months to freshmen (N=8) at KNUST Dental School in Kumasi, Ghana. Block A (3-hr seminar) familiarized students with basics of cariology. Block B included 3-hr seminar, hands-on skills development (ART), and clinical experiences: assisting at ART-treatments under field conditions. Block C concluded the program with further evidence-based learning experiences and skills training followed by clinical treatment of schoolchildren by students. Students were surveyed at 5 time-points. Schoolchildren were examined/surveyed twice to investigate impact on patient oral health (clinical parameters, pre/post OHRQOL-surveys. Students' learning was measured over time using Participant Perception Indicator (PPI) on 3 themes (knowledge, experience, confidence) and knowledge tests. Student data were analyzed using mixed models with repeated measures in SPSS v.18 software. Results: Targeted, compact course delivery appeared feasible and assisted the emerging dental curriculum. Fitted means for student's perception per theme, as well as average for all 3 themes were analyzed. Knowledge-tests revealed a much greater increase in correct open-question than True/False-question responses. Conclusion: PPI discriminated among beginning, middle and ending student perceptions. Perceptions of all themes increased significantly (P<0.003) from beginning to end of the course. Perceptions of experience and confidence increased linearly throughout the course. Perceptions of knowledge increased most during first half of course (P= 0.001), with 6 out of 8 students reaching proficiency by end of period B. Knowledge questionnaire outcomes supported students' perception of significantly increased knowledge over time. Sponsored by Gates Foundation, GC America, Colgate-Palmolive.