Smartphone use and schema-based learning in dentomaxillofacial radiology practice: a case report from one College of Dentistry.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the students' satisfaction and awareness of competency towards smartphone use and schema-based learning in dental radiology practice. METHODS: Third year students undertaking a dental radiology practicum at a dental school were divided into two groups: one group received traditional clinical training, whereas the other group used smartphones in classes and received new training using schema assignments. At the end of the course, students' satisfaction with the training and self-awareness of their competency were surveyed, and their achievement was assessed. RESULTS: Although students' satisfaction with smartphone-based training was generally high, it was less than that of students trained by traditional instruction. However, most students that received smartphone-based training had higher self-scored competency before than after training. The smartphone group scored higher on true/false or multiple-choice questions, whereas the traditional group scored higher on short-answer questions. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone education with schema based assignment proved to be attractive in dental radiology, but students showed less satisfaction, and need to meet the requirements of evidence-based practice. Although the full use of smartphone education with schema is not recommended in dental education, we think that it could be try to use as a supplementary approach with traditional didactic method to facilitate student's exploration and self-study to cope with rapid change in educational environment.

Dental anomaly patterns associated with tooth agenesis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between tooth agenesis and the occurrence of other dental anomalies in children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of 195 subjects with tooth agenesis, except for the third molar, were retrospectively examined and compared with a non-agenesis control group of 600 subjects. Their ages ranged from 7 to 15 years. Panoramic and periapical radiographs were used to analyze the presence of other associated dental anomalies. The occurrences of these anomalies were compared with those in the non-agenesis group. RESULTS: Subjects with tooth agenesis showed a significantly higher prevalence of a small maxillary lateral incisor (17.7%), distoangulation of the mandibular second premolar (6.5%), delayed development of a permanent tooth (10.8%), and hypo-occlusion of a primary molar (11.8%). In contrast, the prevalence of a supernumerary tooth was higher in the control group, and no difference was observed in the prevalence of ectopic eruption of a first molar. According to the agenesis area, microdontia of the maxillary lateral incisors occurred more often in patients with anterior or premolar agenesis than in the molar agenesis groups. Distoangulation of the mandibular second premolars, delayed tooth development, and hypo-occlusion of the primary molars were associated with premolar tooth agenesis. CONCLUSIONS: A small maxillary lateral incisor, distoangulation of the mandibular second premolar, delayed development of a permanent tooth, and hypo-occlusion of a primary molar were frequently associated with tooth agenesis, providing additional evidence of a genetic interrelationship in the causes of these dental anomalies.