Personalized Preclinical Training in Dental Ergonomics and Endodontics in Undergraduate Dentistry Students (Pilot Study)

The curriculum at the Department of Pathophysiology in the Periodontal Sciences program at Okayama University includes normative preclinical training (NPT) using phantoms. NPT is given to the whole class of 5 th year students divided in groups of 8 students/instructor. In 2019, an innovative personalized preclinical training (PPT) pilot study was implemented for this group of students whereby two students, each with their own dental unit, were coached by one instructor. The main topics covered were dental ergonomics and endodontics. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PPT in dental ergonomics and endodontics toward increasing the knowledge and future clinical skills of students who had already undergone NPT. A test on endodontics was taken before and after PPT. A questionnaire was completed to assess their perception of improvement regarding the above-mentioned topics. Test scores and questionnaire results both showed that the students' level of knowledge and awareness of future clinical skills was significantly higher after PPT. This pilot study demonstrated that PPT increased the students' knowledge and future clinical skills. As preclinical training forms the foundation for clinical practice, investment in future research regarding this personalized approach is likely to enhance students' understanding and clinical performance.