Comparative Evaluation of the Posttraining Shade-matching Ability of Clinical and Preclinical Dental Students: An Interventional Study

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the posttraining shade-matching ability of clinical and preclinical dental students. Materials and methods: A total of 60 subjects were selected and divided into two equal groups. Group I comprising 2nd year students (preclinical students) (N = 30) and group II comprising final year (clinical students) (N = 30). The subjects of both I and II groups were trained in two sessions of clinical skill simulation (intervention) on the correct method of shade selection using the Vita 3D master shade guide. Two sets of shade-matching pro forma (SMP) were made for two separate light sources: Natural light (SMP-NL) and a fluorescent low Kelvin cool light source (SMP-FL). An interval of 15 minutes was given between the two shade-matching data collection (SMP-FL and SMP-NL). The SMP score was computed by summing the correct matches for the five items, with a maximum score of five for each light source. All data was collected and statistically analyzed. Results: Under natural light source and fluorescent light source, the median scores of group I were 2 and 3, and for group II, the median score was 2 for both sources, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference obtained in posttraining shade-matching ability between the groups (p = 0.32). Time taken for shade-matching was higher for group I, with the median 396, as compared to group II with the median 333.50 under a natural light source (p = 0.025). Time taken for shade-matching under fluorescent light source was also reported to be significantly higher for group I, with the median 349 as compared to group II with the median 289.5 (p = 0.044). Conclusion: It was concluded that posttraining shade-matching ability did not differ between clinical and preclinical dental students. However, clinical experience significantly influenced the students’ proficiency in determining the shade, with clinical students completing the task more quickly than preclinical students. Clinical significance: The precise assessment of tooth shade is a crucial skill to be learned by dental students and professionals. Use of simulation-based models can improve shade-matching competency and should be incorporated in practice.