Assessing the benefit of the operating microscope and role of visual-spatial abilities in access cavity preparation performed by undergraduate students
Michael Edward Rampado · TSpace (University of Toronto) · 2003
Use of the operating microscope (OM) to improve undergraduate students' performance in access cavity preparation and canal location was assessed. Performance was also correlated to students' visual-spatial and psychomotor abilities. Thirty-six dental students prepared access cavities and located canals in extracted maxillary molars, prior to and after training, which varied according to group. The Standard group received a lecture and practice in preparation of access cavities. The OM group received identical instruction using the OM. The Control group received lectures only. All groups received equivalent content and instruction time (2 hrs, 20 min). Blinded faculty graded preparations according to a multi-dimensional 5-point rating scale. Using the OM, the Microscope group improved significantly in access cavity preparation (p < 0.05) and significantly outperformed both Standard and Control groups in accuracy of identifying canals (p < 0.05). Access Cavity Preparation was found to correlate only with scores on the Surface Development Test (p < 0.01).