LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF VIRTUAL DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPEUTIC GUIDES IN PERIODONTOLOGY

Introduction
The basis of the present project is the “problem-based learning” (PBL) approach, in which clinical cases are presented, evaluated and proposals for therapy are discussed, based on evidence-based science.
Within this methodology, one of the most relevant approaches within the Bolonia process, it may be interesting to develop virtua guides in Periodontology, which will allow a correct diagnostic and planning of the treatment by the student.

Objectives
- To teach and make competent the dental student in searching for information in diagnostic and therapeutic guides, thus promoting the use of information and communication technologies (ICT).
- To allow the student to be able to find and interpret the necessary clinical and additional information to establish adequate periodontal diagnosis.
- To allow the student to be able to design and propose adequate treatment planning for every periodontal condition.
- To help the student in the decisions taken process on a daily basis.

Methods
In the topic Periodontology, in graduate teaching at the Dental School, University Complutense, Madrid, Spain, the methodology of PBL was first implemented in 1999. This methodology is used in combination with traditional teaching (master class), with the support of internet tools (Web-CT, Moodle platforms).
Text and documents. The clinical and additional information, needed for an adequate diagnostic process, was retrieved from the works of the students, as part of the PBL process, which is organised with meeting groups and with the support of a professor (both face to face and on line), allowing for the searching of the relevant information. Based on the retrieved information, treatment options for different periodontal conditions and decision trees were developed by the teaching staff.
Images. To help in the learning and identification of the different clinical situations, clinical pictures and schemes were added to the virtual guides.
Clinical cases. During the clinical practice of the students in the clinics, interesting cases were documented in order to help the understanding of the process, by the resolution of these practical cases.

Clinical relevance
The present process aims to promote autonomous work by the student, as well as self-learning and the improvement of the ability to solve clinical problems.
This can help a dentist student in his/her future clinical practice, by the acquisition of decision-making abilities, both in the diagnostic and the therapeutic process related to periodontal conditions. With the use of these virtual clinical guides, the student may solve clinical situations in a fast and effective way.
In addition, this approach also aims to promote new didactic methods and the use of ICTs when teaching dentistry, in order to be ready to give an appropriate answer to the challenges of the university education in Europe.