IADR Abstract Archives
Using a Mobile Application "Vesalius" for Planning Oral/Dental Surgical Treatment. Perceptions From Faculty and Student
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate faculty and student's perceptions regarding technology incorporation by including a mobile application called "Vesalius" during treatment planning in oral surgery cases at predental education during the clinical practices of Dental students attending their last clinic (D-5) at Iberoamericana University (UNIBE) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Methods: The research design was a quantitative approach using an online survey. The participants of this study consisted of 43 dental students and five Oral Surgery professors. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Cronbach's alpha results were 0.989 and revealed internal validity and reliability.
Results: This study showed a level of agreement among participants that "Vesalius" positively impacted students' learning and performance during their oral clinical cases. According to three of five professors, they were delighted with the "Vesalius" mobile application. Also, 37/ 43 students considered that the "Drugs" area of the application was the most valuable and essential. Thus, incorporating technical help such as "Vesalius" can ease therapeutic decisions and reduce errors in prescription. Results reinforce the notion that smartphone applications can be a valuable and innovative means of improving education and knowledge. Despite these findings, professors said that students could get used to using the application and not develop critical thinking skills, which would be a problem that would prevent them from developing this much-needed competence in dental professionals. They recommended being used only in D-5 students and during preclinical practice.
Conclusions: The authors suggested improving the mobile application and further studies to better integrate it into dental education.
Methods: The research design was a quantitative approach using an online survey. The participants of this study consisted of 43 dental students and five Oral Surgery professors. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Cronbach's alpha results were 0.989 and revealed internal validity and reliability.
Results: This study showed a level of agreement among participants that "Vesalius" positively impacted students' learning and performance during their oral clinical cases. According to three of five professors, they were delighted with the "Vesalius" mobile application. Also, 37/ 43 students considered that the "Drugs" area of the application was the most valuable and essential. Thus, incorporating technical help such as "Vesalius" can ease therapeutic decisions and reduce errors in prescription. Results reinforce the notion that smartphone applications can be a valuable and innovative means of improving education and knowledge. Despite these findings, professors said that students could get used to using the application and not develop critical thinking skills, which would be a problem that would prevent them from developing this much-needed competence in dental professionals. They recommended being used only in D-5 students and during preclinical practice.
Conclusions: The authors suggested improving the mobile application and further studies to better integrate it into dental education.