Clinical Research Directory

AI-Generated Explanations and Dental Students' Clinical Decision-Making

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of AI-generated explanations on clinical decision-making among undergraduate dental students. UG dental students were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: a no-explanation control group, a correct AI-explanation group, or a plausible misleading AI-explanation group. All participants completed the same 15 clinical case-based scenario questions and rated their confidence after each response. The primary outcome was clinical decision-making accuracy. Secondary outcomes included confidence and confidence calibration, as well as selection of the predefined incorrect answer supported by the misleading explanation. The study was designed to determine whether correct AI-generated explanations improve performance and whether plausible but misleading explanations can direct students toward specific clinical errors.

Comparison of Reaching Methods for TMJ and TMD Education in Dental Students

This randomized two-sequence crossover educational study aimed to compare theoretical and practical teaching methods for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anatomy, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), and prosthodontic treatment approaches among dental students. A total of 83 third-year dental students were randomly allocated to two groups. Group 1 received theoretical teaching followed by practical teaching, whereas Group 2 received practical teaching followed by theoretical teaching. Both groups received both teaching methods, which covered TMJ anatomy, disc position and function, disc displacement, clinical manifestations, joint mechanics, and prosthodontic treatment approaches. Following completion of both teaching sessions, students completed a 17-item questionnaire evaluating their perceptions of the teaching methods and their preferences regarding the most effective and ideal teaching approach.

AI Virtual Patient Training for Dental Student History Taking

This randomized study evaluated whether an artificial intelligence-assisted virtual patient could support third-year dental students in practicing medical and dental history taking. Fifty-six students were assigned to either a Gemini-based virtual-patient training group or a conventional role-play group. Both groups completed four training sessions over 2 weeks using comparable clinical cases, practice time, and feedback criteria. The study compared changes in case-based history-taking competency as well as student satisfaction and perceived usefulness of the training methods.

Virtual Reality Training for Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Dental Students

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality simulator-based training in teaching the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique to third-year dental students. Participants were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality simulator training group or a conventional training group. The outcomes evaluated include theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, procedural performance, self-confidence, and anxiety levels associated with IANB administration. The study aims to determine whether virtual reality simulation provides advantages over conventional educational methods in local anesthesia training.

Sleep Medicine Education in Dental Schools and Residency Programs in Italian Universities

This study aims to assess whether sleep medicine education is provided within Italian undergraduate dental programs (Degree in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics) and postgraduate specialization programs in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. A secondary objective is to compare the level of sleep medicine exposure between Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry residency programs.

AI-Driven Digital Self-Assessment Framework for Preclinical Tooth Preparation

This study aims to compare traditional faculty-based assessment with two AI-assisted digital self-assessment software programs for evaluating tooth preparations for metal-ceramic crowns for undergraduate dental preclinical students at College of Dentistry El Alamein, AAST in terms of: (1) Accuracy of preparation outcomes, (2) Student learning outcomes over a training period.