Learning Preferences of Undergraduate Dental Students: A Longitudinal Assessment Over Four Years

Objective: To compare the learning preferences of 78 undergraduate dental studentsfrom the first to thefourth year of dental education.Methods: The study assessed the learning sensory modality preferences of the first-year students byadministering Fleming’s VARK questionnaire and reassessed the same students in fourth-year, using thesame questionnaire and methodology.Results: A significant increase in the mean visual scores was observed from 2.91±1.81 in the first year to3.63±2.06 in the fourth yearof dental education (p-value 0.036). Also, the mean aural scores significantlyincreased from 4.87±2.22 in the first year to 5.86±2.18 in the fourth year (p-value 0.005). Although the meanread/write scores and the mean kinestheticscoresalso increased over four years, yet these were notstatistically significant. Additionally, amultimodal learning style was observed in 53.84% students of first-year and 51.28%students offourth-year.Conclusions: A significant increase in the mean visual scores and the mean aural scores of students fromthe first to fourth year of dental education demonstrates that learning preferences are dynamic in nature. Fordelivering student-centered education, educators need to be cognizant of this potential shift so that teachingstrategies and resourcesmay bemodified for improved learning and student satisfaction.

Metabolic Syndrome in Young Urban Adults

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is diagnosed in an individual if any three of the five risk factors formetabolic syndrome are present. These five risk factors are elevated waist circumference, blood pressure,fasting blood glucose, serum triglyceride and lowered high density lipoprotein. Although the long term naturalevolution of MS has been reported yet there is insufficient research on the changes in risk factors of MSafter one year of diagnosis.Objective: To evaluate changes in risk factors of metabolic syndrome after one year of its identification inyoung college going students of an urban Northern India populationMaterial and method: Height, weight, body mass index and various risk factors for metabolic syndromesuch as waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides and High Density Lipoproteinwere assessed at baseline and after one year. International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used toobjectively assess physical activity levels of the participants.Results: Out of 88 participants, 16 participants were diagnosed with MS at baseline but after one year thenumber reduced to 8.Percentage decrease in triglyceride levels (13.5%) was maximum followed by decline in waist circumference(8.9%) fasting blood glucose showed an increase by 6.6%. However, HDL, blood pressure, weight and BMIshowed no significant change after one year.70.6% of participants showed reduction in WC followed by reduction in fasting blood glucose of and triglyceridelevels of 66.7% participants. Elevation of HDL levels was observed in 38.5% of the participants. Thus therewas least improvement in HDL in the study population after one year. The increase in IPAQ physical activityscores after one year as compared to baseline was not statistically significant but the total sitting andaverage sitting time showed a statistically significant decline after one year.Conclusion: The incidence of MS shows a 49.7% decline after one year even when no specific dietary orphysical activity advise is given to the participants. Although mean values of triglycerides showed the largestdecrease after one year yet decline in waist circumference was seen in maximum percentage of participants.There was least improvement in HDL in the study population after one year.

Learning Style Preferences of Undergraduate Dental Students of a North Indian Dental College.

This study was undertaken to determine the learning style preferences of first and 2nd year BDS students by administering VARK questionnaire. Stepping stone method was used to identify sensory modality preference of each student. 51% students preferred single mode of learning style (27% kinesthetic, 15% aural, 6% read/write and 3% visual mode of learning style). 49% students preferred multiple modes (23% bi-modal, 17% tri-modal, 9% had quad-modal preference). The mean V, A, R, K scores were determined and compared using Mann-Whitney U test. V score of 2nd year was significantly higher compared to 1st year (p value = 0.012). V score of females was significantly higher than that of males (p value= 0.004). The results showed diversity in preference of learning style of students. This diversity necessitates a change from traditional teaching (aural lecture and flowcharts/diagrams) to active learning strategies, for a more productive educational experience.