Live-streaming: The Flipped Clinic Model for the Multidisciplinary Practice of Dentistry

by

Introduction

Multidisciplinary Practice of Dentistry is a first-year DDS course at New York University College of Dentistry that introduces students to foundational knowledge and early clinical experiences. Traditionally, the course consists of three components: lectures, clinic sessions, and clinical observations by shadowing upper-classmates. While the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the benefits of utilizing remote learning, the highest priority remains our ability to offer a quality clinical educational experience. The "flipped clinic" model is based on a flipped classroom (Figure 1), whereby instruction moves from the conventional classroom space to online learning and videos. In the "flipped clinic," students attend assigned clinic sessions via Zoom, which consists of faculty demonstrating procedures in the operatory with Q & A as appropriate.

Methods

Students are interacting remotely (Figure 2) maintaining the same 60 students per session schedule.

Live session topics are recurring (same Zoom meeting ID held on the same day and time), and recorded for attendance purposes as well as for future reference.

Topics Covered

1. Infection Control Protocol:
   1. Demonstrate and discuss setting up the operatory prior to patient treatment using proper infection control guidelines. Post-patient care clean up and how to leave the operatory ready for the next student dentist will be emphasized
   2. Demonstrate and discuss the importance of infection control protocol adherence in the clinical setting. Teach students about proper order and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), surface disinfectant use, and how to properly barrier wrap all high touch surfaces
   3. Appreciate the strict adherence to infection control protocol and understand why, when, and how it is carried out. Understand why infection control is critical to eliminating cross contamination and spread of disease.
2. Oral Hygiene Instruction and Plaque Control:
   1. How to use disclosing tablets before plaque control instructions
   2. Instruct students on how to brush using the Bass and Modified Bass techniques
   3. Select the appropriate dental aids and instruct students on their proper use.
3. Fluoride Varnish Application:
   1. Demonstrate and discuss when and how to apply fluoride varnish.
4. Head and Neck Examination, Carotid Pulse, and Vital Signs:
   1. Demonstrate how a head and neck exam is performed using a systematic approach
   2. Extraoral and intraoral inspection
   3. Distinguish normal from abnormal tissue structures
   4. Learn how to take vital signs: Blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate.
5. Local Anesthesia:
   1. Demonstrate the different parts of the dental syringe
   2. Instruct on use of different needles
   3. Loading and unloading the dental syringe safely
   4. Various local anesthetics and their uses
   5. Demonstration of local anesthetic techniques.

Technology and Equipment Necessary for Livestreaming

• The Zoom videoconferencing platform
• A smartphone to be used as demonstrated in Figure 3
• A smartphone-enabled tripod preferably with a ring light, as shown in Figure 4
• A dental operatory
  

Students are able to pin the video which makes the screen and video larger giving it priority and clarity.

• A dental operatory

Students are able to pin the video which makes the screen and video larger giving it priority and clarity.

Student Engagement

The Flipped Clinic model was a new modality of dental education at the College for all involved. In order to facilitate understanding of session content, on their own initiative students shared detailed notes and screen shots within their individual group practices as demonstrated in Figure 5.

FIGURE 5: In addition, in a sign of the times associated with Generation Z, one student took virtual instruction a step further and produced a Tik Tok video using her baby nephew to demonstrate oral hygiene in infants.

Summary

The safety and distancing protocols necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic have challenged the in-person learning process. In order to continue to maintain the dental education experience, new innovative methods had to be applied. Live-streaming courses presents a viable option, taking advantage of technological advances in order to give first-year students an introduction to clinic through the multidisciplinary practice of dentistry. Adapting, strategizing, and taking a forward-thinking approach despite challenging circumstances can preface the clinical skills students need in order to maximize their educational experience.

DISCLOSURE

This paper was accepted as a TechExpo presentation by the American Dental Education Association held virtually on Friday March 12th, 2021.

REFERENCE

Redesima C, Kavanagh L, Hadgraft R, Smith N. The Flipped Classroom Practice and Practices in Higher Education. Singapore: Springer Singapore: Imprint: Springer; 2017
 

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