Comparison of Objectively Structured Viva Voce and Modified Objectively Structured Viva Voce as Assessment Tool during Formative and Summative Examination in Dentistry

Assessment is an essential part of any curriculum, including that of dentistry. Assessment of knowledge is currently done through examination and thus examination is an inherent part. Examination and assessment of knowledge is done so as to promote the students to the next level. Currently, two types of methods are used for the assessment and performance of students, subjective and objective. Recently objective methods are preferred over 24 subjective methods. Student’s performance can be accessed via relevant feedback. During summative examinations at the end of course, the assessment now has been supplemented by the formative ones. The skill assessment is subjective in nature as well as lacks possibility for direct assessment of the presentation of skills by the evaluator. METHODS50 students from I BDS class, were selected randomly. These students were subjected to conventional OSVV in the subject of dental anatomy and dental histology. The viva voce was taken using predesigned templates having 10 questions with various difficulty levels - easy, difficult and very difficult. The questions were from must know, desirable to know as well as nice to know areas. Same students were subjected to modified OSVV with prior consent and after IEC clearance was obtained. The scores were obtained from the students after viva voce with modified templates and modified difficulty levels. The study was done during second PCT as well as preliminary examinations. The scores were compared. RESULTSThere were 5 students who scored high in modified OSVV pattern during formative (II PCT) and 6 students who scored high during summative (preliminary) examinations. There was no significant difference in the mean scores between the two methods. CONCLUSIONSStudents who scored high marks when subjected to the modified OSVV were rapid learners and modified pattern of OSVV can be useful to improve the score of students.

The Pandemic of 21st Century: COVID – 19

The novel coronavirus or COVID – 19 as it has been namedhas transformed into a pandemic ravaging the world. As thedays pass, the number of cases seem to be increasing at analarming rate and few regions have managed to escape theclutches of this deadly virus. With no visible cure beingavailable at the moment, the healthcare sector of nations isworking against the clock in the hunt of a solution to thispuzzling problem. Belonging to family Coronaviridae, it isgenetically most similar to the Severe Acute RespiratorySyndrome (SARS) virus but manifestation of symptoms inboth the diseases is somewhat different. This portion of thearticle aims to elaborate the different methods employed fordetection and testing of COVID.This review deals with various statistics pertaining to thepandemic which have been reported and for whom, studiesand research has been carried out with a string of predefinedvariables included. It involves anaccount of the number ofcases reported, both in India and the World.While the fight against the pandemic is far from over, witheach day comes the hope, that our healthcare workers shall beable to find a resolution to this seemingly relentless problem.

Sickle cell anemia: An update on diagnosis, management and prevention strategies

Sickle cell anemia is the most common disease entity of all the monogenic disorders. This is an autosomal recessive disorder. HbS polymerization, vaso-occlusion, and hemolytic anemia are central to the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, they precipitate a cascade of pathologic events, which in turn lead to a wide range of complications. The disease is particularly more prevalent in certain regions of the country like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tamilnadu and has a significant impact on morbidity. Community based approach by providing availability of screening tests, & pre-marital and pre-pregnancy counselling should be initiated to reduce the disease burden in the society.