YouTube use among dental students for learning clinical procedures: A multi-institutional study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of YouTube as a learning tool for clinical procedures among third- and fourth-year dental students. METHODS: A multiple choice survey was distributed through Qualtrics to third- and fourth-year dental students at 5 United States dental schools. Questions pertaining to YouTube use were asked related to the following categories: demographic information, general YouTube use, YouTube use as a tool to learn clinical procedures, YouTube video sharing, and validity. Descriptive and quantitative analyses were performed. RESULTS: Data were collected in 2019 and 2020 from 479 third- and fourth-year dental students (overall response rate 28.3%). Respondents ranged in age from under 23 to over age 50. Ninety-five percent of respondents considered YouTube videos on clinical procedures to be a helpful learning tool, and 89% would like for their dental school to post tutorials to YouTube/social media. No statistically significant differences were found between dental institutions; however, a statistically significant difference between third- and fourth-year students did exist regarding the frequency of YouTube use. While the use of YouTube as a learning tool for clinical procedures is high, 36% of students are uncertain about the evidence-base of the videos. CONCLUSIONS: As dental students use publicly available resources as adjuncts to the dental curriculum, it is important to analyze the quality of the material accessed. These findings may suggest a need for dental institutions to increase the development of evidence-based instructional videos as a part of their clinical educational curriculums.

The Recommendation of Cone-beam Computed Tomography and Its Effect on Endodontic Diagnosis and Treatment Planning.

INTRODUCTION: Although intraoral radiographs are foundational for diagnosis and planning treatment in dentistry, the resulting 2-dimensional image varies in interpretation requiring judgment. Cone-beam computed tomographic imaging provides a more detailed 3-dimensional image that may affect treatment recommendations. This study aimed to determine the basis for CBCT recommendations and the effect on diagnosis and treatment planning. METHODS: The study involved a sample of 45 cases that presented for endodontic treatment, 30 with a CBCT scan on record and 15 without. For phase 1, all 45 cases were reviewed by 3 examiners without access to the CBCT scans. For phase 2, 4 months later, the 3 examiners reanalyzed the 30 cases, this time with the associated CBCT scan. Intra- and interexaminer agreements were recorded and analyzed. Also, the recommendations for CBCT were compared with the American Association of Endodontists/American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology joint statement. RESULTS: Interexaminer agreement in phases 1 and 2 was 65% and 72%, respectively. For endodontic diagnoses, there was a 19% change in the pulpal diagnosis category when CBCT imaging was added, whereas there was a 30% change in the apical category. The selections changed in 55% of the cases when determining etiology and in 49% of the cases when making recommendations. CBCT imaging was recommended 78.8% of the time when the case had a CBCT on record versus 33% of the time in cases without. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT imaging has a significant effect in determining the etiology of endodontic pathoses and in recommending treatment. Furthermore, CBCT imaging is not overprescribed in the endodontic department, and the faculty members adhere to the American Association of Endodontists/American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology recommendations.