Assessment of learning outcomes of first year dental students using an interactive Nearpod educational platform.

PURPOSE: The impact of COVID-19 required revisions in curricula, especially among professional programs that have traditionally required hands-on learning of content. This study endeavored to assess the level of effectiveness of the online presentation of material both qualitatively and quantitatively in a 5-week module on cariology for first-year dental students. Quantitative analysis of the assessment data was required to determine if an interactive engagement platform increased student outcomes. Quantitative survey and qualitative student comments were analyzed to determine the students' preferences for supplemental learning opportunities and utilization trends. The purpose of this study was to measure the learning outcomes of online course delivery with the use of an interactive education platform. METHODS: The dental class of 2023 received the cariology material in a live, in-person lecture format. The class of 2024 received the same material in a combination of synchronous Zoom lectures and asynchronous interactive presentations utilizing the interactive education platform (Nearpod). The identical midterm examination on cariology was administered to both cohorts at the completion of the 5-week module. RESULTS: Quantitatively, the class of 2024 had a significantly higher mean score than the class of 2023 on the midterm examination, collectively and in both female and male cohorts. Qualitatively, the dental students overwhelmingly expressed support for the ease of use and educational value of the Nearpod platform. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that student performance on the identical exam was improved through the use of synchronous Zoom lectures and asynchronous Nearpod review sessions. The application of technology to enhance remote learning can be effective in supporting student mastery of core concepts in dental education.

Confirmation of theoretical colour predictions for layering dental composite materials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to confirm the theoretical colour predictions for single and double layers of dental composite materials on an opaque backing. METHODS: Single and double layers of composite resins were fabricated, placed in optical contact with a grey backing and measured for spectral radiance. The spectral reflectance and colour were directly determined. Absorption and scattering coefficients as previously reported, the measured thickness of the single layers and the effective reflectance of the grey backing were utilized to theoretically predict the reflectance of the single layer using corrected Kubelka-Munk reflectance theory. For double layers the predicted effective reflectance of the single layer was used as the reflectance of the backing of the second layer and the thickness of the second layer was used to predict the reflectance of the double layer. Colour differences, using both the CIELAB and CIEDE2000 formulae, measured the discrepancy between each directly determined colour and its corresponding theoretical colour. RESULTS: The colour difference discrepancies generally ranged around the perceptibility threshold but were consistently below the respective acceptability threshold. CONCLUSION: This theory can predict the colour of layers of composite resin within acceptability limits and generally also within perceptibility limits. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This theory could therefore be incorporated into computer-based optical measuring instruments that can automate the shade selections for layers of a more opaque first layer under a more translucent second layer for those clinical situations where an underlying background colour and a desirable final colour can be measured.

Optical characteristics of contemporary dental composite resin materials.

OBJECTIVES: Optical and physical properties of dental restorative composite materials are affected by composition. Basic optical absorption and scattering properties have been derived through the use of a corrected reflectance model, but practical and important optical properties are not easily derived from these basic spectral characteristics. The purposes of this study are to derive and compare colour and translucency characteristics of two cured contemporary nanohybrid composites being marketed as universal composites, and to evaluate colour difference between each composite material and published shade guide data. METHODS: Previously derived optical scattering and absorption coefficients for five diverse shades of these composite materials were used to calculate the CIE colour parameters of L*, a* and b* at infinite thickness under various illuminants and to derive ideal translucency parameters at various thicknesses using two colour difference formulae. RESULTS: Differences were found in the inherent colour parameters and in the translucency parameters between the brands for some of the shades studied. The colour differences of the inherent colours from published shade guide data were always higher than the perceptibility limit, and often higher than the acceptability limit. CONCLUSIONS: Inherent colours and ideal translucency parameters may be calculated from optical coefficients for a variety of illuminants. Different inherent colour parameters of composite materials marked for the same shade indicate the influence of compositional differences between these materials. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Since patients are seen under various illuminations, the ability to assess appearance matching characteristics under diverse illuminants will help assure an optimum match for the patient.

Accuracy of Kubelka-Munk reflectance theory for dental resin composite material.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the effect of interfacial reflection correction (IRC) on the accuracy of this reflectance model for contemporary dental resin composite materials. METHODS: Visible reflectance spectra were obtained for varying thicknesses (∼0.3-1.2mm) of five shades of each of two brands (Herculite Ultra and Kalore) of dental resin composite materials on black, gray and white backings. For each shade and brand, K-M theory was fit (SAS non-linear fit) for each of three IRC methods: (1) no IRC (No), (2) an IRC method which uses a theoretical value of the internal reflection for translucent materials (Tr), and (3) an IRC method which uses a derived value of the internal reflection for opaque materials (Op). The errors were subjected to repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni corrections were applied to selected pairwise comparisons. RESULTS: The Op method had a statistically lower error than the No method at wavelengths from 460 to 560nm, and the Tr method had this lower error at wavelengths from 440 to 780nm. SIGNIFICANCE: Corrected K-M reflectance theory may be used to accurately quantify the optical K-M absorption and scattering coefficients for contemporary dental resin composite materials, and this theory may be used to calculate accurately the reflectance spectrum for a clinically relevant thickness value and for a backing that is low, mid-range or high in lightness. Both color and translucency information of resin composite materials may be accurately predicted using corrected Kubelka-Munk reflectance model.