The use of audiovisual procedures in evaluating oral diagnostic and treatment planning skills of dental students

In the belief that an examination testing the diagnostic and treatment planning capabilities of junior dental students should involve more than the traditional paper and pencil test, a new test was developed at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. Interesting and varied stimuli, such as a videotape, visual aids, and relevant dental data were included as part of this exam. The test was administered, and the degree of student anxiety before, during, and after the examination was measured. In general, students performed well; the majority indicated a preference for this type of examination over the usual paper and pencil test. As expected, anxiety levels increased until the examination was completed and then decreased. Student evaluations were not affected by the degree of anxiety. The inclusion of a variety of materials in a test measuring diagnostic and treatment planning skills resulted in a more challenging examination; the use of a videotaped segment simulating a case history provided consistency in the test material.