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Can an interactive case-based activity help bridge the theory-practice gap in operative dentistry?

INTRODUCTION
A theory-practice gap in predoctoral dental education is a common source of stress for dental students. An interactive, small-group, case-based activity was designed to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical experiences. The aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of the case-based activity by evaluating students' comfort level in operative procedures.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Over five years, a total of 172 second-year students from the classes of 2017 through 2021 participated in the case-based activity delivered after the completion of the core operative dentistry course. The exercise included a pre-activity online quiz, an in-class case-based session, and a laboratory exercise. Students' self-reported comfort levels in performing operative procedures were collected by surveys at three different times. They included the post-course survey distributed after the completion of the core operative dentistry course, the post-activity survey distributed after the completion of the case-based activity, and the follow-up survey distributed after students completed their first operative procedures in clinic.


RESULTS
There was a 93% response rate. The average rating of all eight statements revealed statistically significant increase in students' comfort level after completing the case-based activity and after performing their first operative procedures in the teaching practice.


CONCLUSION
This observation suggests that the case-based activity was effective in raising students' comfort levels. The activity may serve as an important tool in bridging the theory-practice gap between preclinical and clinical operative experiences.