Introduction: Preclinical teaching using simulation is very beneficial in training dental graduates. The use of laboratory simulation for its undergraduate training during the preclinical years has been used in dental education. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate student’s perception, self evaluation and satisfactory level in preparing duralay burn-out post and core in preclinical fixed prosthodontics sessions.
Materials and Methods: The participants comprised of 104 fourth year dental undergraduates in the Faculty of Dentistry Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The students had undergone preclinical session for endodontics during the 3rd year and had already completed root canal treatment on single rooted tooth. The same tooth was used for preclinical post and core preparation. The gutta percha was partially removed and the root canal was prepared. They then proceeded with the preparation of duralay build-up/pattern based on the lecture, video demonstration and manual given. Once completed and satisfied with their work, students were asked to answer the questionnaires in the simulation manual.
Results: Student response rate was 88.46% (92/104). Majority of the students were satisfied with their canal preparation, with about 5mm gutta percha left apically, appropriately shaped canal with sufficient retention and resistance form. They also thought that the surface of the duralay was good with no voids. With regards to the coronal preparation, majority of them incorporated ferrule effect and prepared preliminary crown preparation. More than half of the students claimed the level of difficulty of this procedure was moderate. Furthermore, majority of them said that the lecture and the preclinical manual were sufficient and helpful. The help from the supervisors was also benefit in preparing duralay burnout post and core.
Conclusions: From this study, majority of fourth year dental students could perform appropriate canal preparation as well as duralay pattern post and core. Only one student did not feel competent and confident in doing canal preparation and duralay pattern post and core. Our teaching methods and aids were proven to help them in preparing these tasks.
Aim of the study: To compare the weight of retrieved food accumulated under the dentures base with and without adhesive treatment.
Materials and Method: Each subject was given 32 g of non-salted dry roasted peanuts to chew and swallow. After finishing all the peanuts, the subject was asked to brush their denture using toothbrush and toothpaste without removing the denture from the mouth and rinsed their mouth vigorously with water. The weight of the retrieved peanuts accumulated under the denture base collected, dried, and weighted. All procedures were repeated with denture adhesive.
Results: On average, the mean weight of peanuts particles recovered beneath upper dentures without application of denture adhesive was 51.21 mg which is higher than the mean weight of upper denture with adhesive treatment (35.36 mg). The similar pattern was detected for the lower dentures but at higher mean weight.
Conclusion: Application of denture adhesive significantly reduced the amount of retrieved peanut particles collected under the denture base compared to no-adhesive treatment (p< 0.005).