Assessment of impact of early clinical exposure in the understanding, visualization and comprehension of primary impression in undergraduate students

Utilization of early clinical exposure (ECE) model in undergraduate dental education can help to contextualize theory with skill development. Aim: To compare the knowledge and skills of dental students trained using conventional method with those trained with a combination of didactic lectures and early clinical exposure module. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted among second year dental students in preclinical prosthodontics and was randomly allocated to 2 groups of 36 each. Control group received theory and practical class in Manipal College of Dental Sciences Mangalore India whereas, study group in addition to above, a video demonstration of the impression procedure in the clinic was given. Cognitive assessment done using Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and psychomotor skills assessed by using Objective structured Practical Evaluation (OSPE). Student feedback regarding ECE, by 5point Likert scale was obtained. Results: In the pretest and post intervention mean scores obtained by the subjects in the control group was 5.41±1.09, 6.69±0.85 and study group 7.31±1.24, 8.64±1.42. Comparison of intragroup showed that there was a statistically significant increase in the mean scores in both groups after the intervention when compared with their baseline values. (p<0.001) Students response to perception of early clinical exposure revealed improved understanding of impression procedure (85.7% strongly agreed and 14.3% agreed). Conclusions: Knowledge and skills of students trained with combination of didactic lectures and early clinical exposure module showed improved scores when compared with students trained using conventional method.