The Implementation of Elaborative Feedback for Qualitative Improvement of Shade MatchingA Randomized Study

ObjectivesThe objective of this prospective learning research study is to examine the impact of structured elaborative feedback in practical skills teaching of visual and digital shade matching. Materials and MethodsA total of 60 preclinical dental students participated in the study. The mean average age was 23 years, of which 37 were female (61.7%) and 23 male (38.3%). The participants were randomly divided into a study and control group (n=30 each). Recording of shade matching was carried out on the phantom patient using clinically simulated settings with elaborative feedback in the study group (T1). Nine items were recorded for visual shade matching and six items for digital shade-taking. The errors were coded. The lower the total (max. 30 points), the fewer the errors made by students during shade determination. The subject labeled the tooth color using VITA 3D-Master and VITA Easyshade (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Sackingen, Germany). ResultsOn comparing the two groups, the study group and the control group showed a similar mean error value at reference time T1. After intervention (T2) it was possible to achieve a clear improvement in the rate of errors for study group. In the study group there was a significant difference between the E values from time T1 and T2 of visual shade matching (p <0.05). The digital E values show in total no significant changes. ConclusionElaborative feedback in conjunction with standardized checklists can lead to a substantial improvement among students in terms of visual shade matching. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCECorrectly determining the tooth shade is an essential treatment step in esthetic reconstructive dentistry. Color is probably one of the most important determinants of esthetics in dentistry. Factors such as lighting conditions, gender, age, experience, and color vision impairment affect the process of shade matching. With an elaborative feedback in conjunction with standardized checklists can lead to a substantial improvement among students in terms of visual shade matching. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:277-286, 2016)