1,721,001 research outputs found
Undergraduate dental students’ perceptions of team-teaching: A Malaysian experience on cross-professional preclinical education
No full textIntroduction: Limited research has been conducted to determine how undergraduate dental students perceive team-teaching, especially when involving teachers from other allied dental professions. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine students’ perceptions of team-teaching in a preclinical dental materials science course. Methods: The current laboratory dental materials practical session was carried out for the second-year undergraduate dental students. The session was conducted solely by a dental technology lecturer in the dental technology laboratory. Students attended lectures on commonly used laboratory-based dental materials before the session comprising seven teaching and learning stations. 19 close-ended questions using 5-point Likert Scales to assess 4 domains (perception of learning, teacher, learning environment, and preference of learning) including 2 open-ended questions were administered at the end of the session. Mean scores for each questionnaire item were analysed, whereas content analysis was performed for open-ended responses. Result: The respondent rate was 100% (n = 68). Mean scores for domains 1, 2, 3, and 4 ranged from 4.35–4.69, 4.63–4.87, 4.53–4.69, and 2.93–3.74, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha value for all the questionnaire items was 0.85, while confirmatory factor analysis scores for all domains were >0.7, with 2 items being removed. Based on the open-ended responses, students enjoyed the communication between the teacher and students and wished to have more hands-on activity. Conclusion: Students generally showed positive perceptions towards their learning, teacher, and learning environment, despite showing mixed preference towards team-teaching. Additional research is required to evaluate teachers’ and policymakers’ perspectives as well as the impact of team-teaching on students' academic performance. Resumen: Introducción: Se han realizado una investigación limitada para determinar cómo perciben los estudiantes de odontología de pregrado la enseñanza en equipo, especialmente cuando involucra a docentes de otras profesiones dentales afines. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar las percepciones de los estudiantes sobre la enseñanza en equipo en un curso de ciencia de materiales dentales preclínicos. Métodos: La sesión práctica actual de materiales dentales de laboratorio se llevó a cabo para los estudiantes de odontología de segundo año. La sesión fue conducida únicamente por un docente de tecnología dental en el laboratorio de tecnología dental. Los estudiantes asistieron a conferencias sobre materiales dentales de laboratorio comúnmente utilizados antes de la sesión, que comprendía siete estaciones de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Se administraron 19 preguntas cerradas utilizando escalas Likert de cinco puntos para evaluar cuatro dominios (percepción del aprendizaje, del docente, del entorno de aprendizaje y preferencia de aprendizaje), incluyendo 2 preguntas abiertas al final de la sesión. Se analizaron las puntuaciones medias de cada ítem del cuestionario, mientras que se realizó un análisis de contenido para las respuestas abiertas. Resultado: La tasa de respuesta fue del 100% (n = 68). Las puntuaciones medias para los dominios 1, 2, 3 y 4 variaron oscilaron entre 4.35 y 4.69, 4.63 y 4.87, 4.53 y 4.69, y 2.93 y 3.74, respectivamente. El valor del Alfa de Cronbach para todos los ítems del cuestionario fue de 0.85, mientras que las puntuaciones del análisis factorial confirmatorio para todos los dominios fueron >0.7, con la eliminación de dos ítems. Basándose en las respuestas abiertas, los estudiantes disfrutaron de la comunicación entre el docente y los estudiantes y desearon tener más actividades prácticas. Conclusión: Los estudiantes generalmente mostraron percepciones positivas hacia su aprendizaje, maestro y entorno de aprendizaje, a pesar de tener preferencias mixtas hacia la enseñanza en equipo. Se requiere investigación adicional para evaluar las perspectivas de los docentes y los responsables políticos, así como el impacto de la enseñanza en equipo en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes
Dental Students' Perspectives and Learning Experiences during the Covid-19 Outbreak: A Qualitative Study
Full text linkObjective: The present study aimed to explore the perspectives and learning experiences of undergraduate dental students during the Covid-19 pandemic using a qualitative approach.
Materials and Methods: The current study used a qualitative focus group approach based on the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Three focus groups were carried out using a piloted interview topic guide. A convenient sampling was adopted to include undergraduate year 3 to year 5 dental students who had attended regular face-to-face session before the pandemic. Each session consisted of 6 to 8 participants who were randomly assigned, and the sessions lasted for about 30 to 45 minutes. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis using a deductive approach was employed to the focus group data. All the final codes were refined and agreed by all members of the research team.
Results: Four main themes with their respective subthemes were identified through the coding process, namely change in study life balance, online learning, interpersonal relationship, and concern for future.
Conclusion: Dental students faced numerous challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, both mentally and academically. Academicians must reconsider and re-evaluate the curriculum, including the mode of delivery, as total eradication of the virus is not likely to be possible in the foreseeable future
The prevalence of the second root and root canals in mandibular premolars determined using CBCT and Micro CT- A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textThis study will use a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and micro-computed tomography (Micro CT) to investigate different variations in the root canal system of mandibular premolars in order to measure the impact of teeth groups, geographic regions, age and gender on the second root canal and second root prevalence
The management of separated endodontic instruments using a customized syringe and loop technique: A case series
No full textThe separation of the nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary files is seen occasionally due to improper use and lack of technique, which results in improper cleaning and shaping of the root canals, compromising the treatment outcome. Various techniques have been introduced to either bypass or retrieve the separated instrument. The present case series highlighted a low-cost and straightforward alternative to retrieve the separated NiTi rotary instruments using a customized syringe and loop technique with the assistance of a dental operating microscope. Three cases of fractured instruments in different root canals were addressed, with the customized syringe and loop technique being used to retrieve the instruments successfully. This supports the use of a convenient, reliable, and cost-effective approach to managing fractured endodontic instruments without costly equipment or specific retrieval kits
A phenomenological study on East and Southeast Asian dental educators: perceived importance, challenges, and strategies in teaching dental materials science
No full textAbstract Background Effective teaching of dental materials science is crucial for dental students to develop a comprehensive understanding of materials used in clinical practice. However, literature on educators’ views on teaching this subject is still scarce. This qualitative study aimed to explore the lived experiences of dental educators in teaching dental materials science subjects, thereby addressing potential gaps and enhancing teaching practices. Methods Thirteen dental educators from East and Southeast Asian countries (Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan) participated in the present study. The present study adopted a transcendental phenomenological approach. One-to-one semi-structured online interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in the educators’ experiences. Results Three themes emerged from the present study. First, perceptions of the importance of dental materials science, highlighting its relevance in clinical practice, patient care, and lifelong learning. Second, the challenges faced in teaching dental materials science include limited instructional time, complex content, and insufficient resources. Third, specific strategies, such as applying interactive teaching methods, integrating clinical scenarios, and promoting critical thinking skills have been suggested to enhance teaching and learning. Conclusion Understanding dental educators’ experiences can improve dental materials science education, curriculum development, teaching methods, and faculty training programmes, ultimately enhancing the knowledge and skills of dental students in this field
Exploring the Learning Experience of High-Performing Preclinical Undergraduate Dental Students: A Qualitative Study
No full textThe current study aimed to explore the perceptions of high-performing undergraduate dental students in learning dental materials science. One-on-one semi-structured interviews with high-performing students who scored 80 marks and above in dental materials were conducted using an online video-chat platform. A purposeful sampling method was employed, and six students fulfilled the criteria. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed qualitatively using a thematic approach. Three major themes were identified: (1) Learning strategies, (2) Learning enablers and barriers, and (3) Coping with learning challenges. Six sub-themes emerged from the “learning strategies” theme: memorizing and repeating, peer learning, seeking learning resources, study planning, paying attention during class, and mnemonics. The enabler sub-themes include motivation, lecture notes, teachers, and hands-on, whereas the barrier sub-theme is content understanding. Moreover, family support and de-stress appeared as the sub-themes in coping with learning challenges. In short, the present exploratory study identified several major themes and sub-themes that can help dental educators comprehend the complexity of learning dental materials science and how it affects students’ academic performances. The current findings also offer learning recommendations for low-performing students to improve their academic achievements in the dental materials science course
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
- …
