Evaluating the Efficacy of Concept Maps as a Learning Aid among Dental Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ruchi Nagpal; Sonam Jain; Pratibha  Taneja; Charu Mohan Marya; Sakshi Kataria; Shubhangi Thakur; Pratibha Taneja

doi:10.21276/ujds.2024.10.4.1

Dr. Ruchi Nagpal Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3735-5206
Dr. Sonam Jain Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0442-7418
Dr. Pratibha Taneja Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9805-2436
Dr. C M Marya Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3117-0312
Dr. Sakshi Kataria Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7899-8603
Shubhangi Thakur Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3363-0902
Pratibha Taneja Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21276/ujds.2024.10.4.1

Keywords: anticariogenic mechanism, concept map, dental students, fluoride

Abstract

Background: Healthcare professionals, particularly dental students, face numerous challenges throughout their education and clinical practice. In India, dental education spans four years, covering 19 subjects, followed by a one-year clinical internship. Despite the interconnectedness of concepts across these subjects, students often struggle to integrate knowledge, resulting in gaps in applying theory to clinical practice. This study hypothesizes that using concept maps as a learning aid can enhance students' learning capabilities. While concept maps have been studied in other fields, evidence in dental education is limited.

Aim: The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of Concept Maps (CM) as a learning tool among students enrolled in the BDS course at a dental college.

Methods: The present study was a parallel design randomized controlled trial conducted to evaluate the efficacy of concept maps as a learning aid among dental students. A total of 77 subjects were recruited from third-year BDS students. For baseline assessment, 66 students attended common lectures. After exclusions, the scores of the remaining 50 subjects were analyzed. In GROUP I, subjects were given an additional lecture about concept maps as a learning aid, whereas in GROUP II, no additional lecture was given. Initially, there were 39 subjects in GROUP I (concept map group) and 38 subjects in GROUP II (control group). After the first assessment, there were 30 subjects in GROUP I and 27 subjects in GROUP II. After the 2nd assessment, there were 25 subjects in both groups.

Results: Concept maps were found to aid deeper learning compared to the conventional note-taking method.

Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that concept mapping can be an effective study strategy for dental students, helping them to learn, organize information, and retrieve it more effectively.

Key words: anticariogenic mechanism, concept map, dental students, fluoride

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