Value of Reinforcing Theoretical Training in Teaching Dental Anatomy

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a pedagogic method in teaching dental anatomy. Methods: Step one: 66 students followed a lecture on permanent maxillary central incisors during which the teacher clearly introduced three criteria: 1) « buccal crown face included in a trapezoid  with smaller cervical base » (B.F.T.), 2) « proximal  face forms a 60° angle with lingual face » (P.F.60°L.F.), 3) «when incisor is in orthogonal position, three points are aligned on proximal face: radicular apex point, most declivous neck point and occlusal point »(R.N.O.). Step two: students were divided into two groups (n=33):  the experimental group received a practical pedagogic demonstration of incisor wax sculpture (scale 3) in which the teacher clearly emphasised the three criteria; the control group received the three criteria in a demonstration but without any particular teacher emphasis. Step three: students carved the incisor in wax (scale3). Step four: wax carvings from both groups were examined and analyzed statistically (presence of criterion=1, absence=0). Results:

The three criteria were more present in the carvings of the experimental group and the difference was statistically significant for all criteria.  Conclusion: This experiment clearly demonstrates the value of reinforcing theoretical training by providing clearly formulated hands-on demonstration.