Effects of virtual teaching-learning environment on the development of skills in Orthodontics

Abstract

Introduction: Virtual teaching of learning implies that teachers and students participate and interact in a virtual environment, which requires impact studies that demonstrate its advantages and limitations in specific teaching-educational processes, as in the case of dentistry.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program based on digital learning environments in the development of skills in the specialty of orthodontics.

Methods: A sample of 35 Dentistry students from the University of Guayaquil is studied using a questionnaire (previously validated by experts). Competencies were investigated before and after implementing a process of virtual teaching-learning environments for 12-week.

Results: The level of skills of the dentistry specialty improves significantly in the post-test (p=0.000); the level of theoretical knowledge presented a rating of Good in 42.85 % of the sample in the post-test (p=0.000); the level of specific practical skills in dental treatment obtained a rating of Good in 40 % of the sample (p=0.000); and at the level of communication and relationship with the patients, the rating of Good reached 57.15% in the post-test (p=0.000).

Conclusions: The initial competencies recorded were classified as insufficient, with significant improvements after implementing the intervention process based on digital learning environments. The average performance of the students increased by 25 %, which shows the effectiveness of the program in improving theoretical and practical orthodontic skills.