Perceptual and motor training for the acquisition and retention of psychomotor skills in dental amalgam restorations: class I in the mandibular first molar

From a study of 72 dental students during amalgam restoration using four training methods (psychomotor, mental, psychomotor and mental, and conventional)--one method for each 18 students--the following conclusions are drawn: (1) It is economically feasible to develop and utilize self-paced instructions without the aid of instructors for the acquisition of psychomotor skills. (2) Training through self-paced analytical programs results in higher retention of the acquired skills than training through conventional training methods.