The influence of computer-assisted instruction on acquiring early skills in intraoral radiography.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference in the diagnostic quality of the initial full-mouth series (FMS) exposed by first-year dental students after viewing a Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) module on radiographic technique as compared to those who did not and to determine if students who used the CAI module expressed a preference to using it and would recommend its use prior to exposure. Fifty-nine first-year dental students were randomly selected and assigned to two groups (students who did not view a CAI CD and students who did) before exposing their initial FMS on a Dental X-ray Training and Teaching Replica (DXTTR). For each radiographic series, a radiology faculty member determined the total number of error points based on performance criteria. The Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test was used to determine significance between the two groups, p = .05. After exposing the FMS, students in the second group completed a questionnaire to assess their preference for using the CAI CD. The Sign Rank Test was used to determine preference, p = .05. No significant difference in error points were found to exist between the two groups. Dental students who reviewed the CAI preferred using it and would recommend it to others before exposing their FMS.