Effect of Electronic and Lecture-Based Continuing Education Courses on Level of Knowledge of General Dentists on Dental Bleaching

Abstract

Background: The efficacy of electronic continuing education courses in comparison to lectured based methods requires further evaluation. This study aimed at comparing the effect of electronic (e-learning) and face-to-face conventional instruction on level of knowledge of general dentists on bleaching of discolored teeth. Methods: In this quasi-experimental controlled trial study in 2017 (1396) with post-test and control group design, firstly, a lecture-based continuing education courses at Shahid Beheshti University on discoloration of a single tooth was carried out for general dentists (as the control group, N = 35). Then, a continuing education online course with the same topic was done for the second group (N = 35). Convenience sampling was used to select participants of each group. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire, which consisted of 2 parts (post-test with 10 questions and a satisfaction questionnaire with 10 questions). Content validity and test-retest reliability (r = 0.8) of both was determined. Data analysis was performed using the t-test and Pearson's chi square test using the SPSS 23 software. The level of statistical significant was considered at P = 0.05. Results: The mean knowledge score after education was 7.02 (2.87) in e-learning and 6.77 (1.23) in the conventional group. The difference between the 2 groups was not significant (P = 0.63). Overall, 91.4% in the e-learning and 91.5% in the conventional group believed that the educational course obviated their occupational needs. Conclusions: E-learning was as effective as conventional instruction for bleaching of a single discolored tooth in terms of knowledge score (post-test score) and self-reported satisfaction and attitude of dentists.