WEB-BASED LEARNING IN UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL EDUCATION: BITE-WING X-RAYS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Bite-wing (BW) x-rays are a basic diagnosis tool used in Pediatric Dentistry. These intraoral x-rays are taken in both sides of the oral cavity and show the four sectors of the upper and lower dental arches. It makes it possible to assess the anatomy of the tissues involved and to find out different pathologic processes that are relevant to the comprehensive diagnosis of the pediatric patient.
BW radiological diagnosis has classically been carried out manually, physically observing the x-ray and considering the different elements required to complete the evaluation.
New information technologies have made it possible to develop templates for radiographic diagnosis using different software. It allows to share images and locate interesting findings on the computer screen, so that the student gets trained in observing a variety of anatomical and pathological aspects.
The application of this technology to teaching through the Virtual Campus can represent a very useful and effective tool for improving student teaching for obtaining competence and for generating working material for the student that can be used in training as part of the ECTS credits for Degree in Odontology.
The aim of this study was to design a web-based tool for the assessment of BW x-rays within the frame of Pediatric Dentistry, to be administered at the Faculty of Odontology of the Complutense University of Madrid. For this purpose, the following objectives were defined:
-to train the student in the identification of the different anatomical structures that appear in the BW x-ray
-to train the student in the identification of the different pathological processes that could be detected using this tool
- to teach the student how to integrate the afore mentioned information with the remaining diagnostic results.
Different clinical situations were identified and considered as possible radiographic findings where dental students could show their ability and competence to diagnose different problems associated to young patients.
After completion of each clinical case students would receive written comments and feedback related to the performed tasks. Produced materials will be presented and discussed.