Comparison of Two Evaluation Methods in Practical Oral Pathology

Evaluation is an essential component of training of oral health professionals and development and modification of evaluation methods in dental education seem necessary. The present study aimed to compare two evaluation methods in practical oral pathology.
This cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted in Shiraz School of Dentistry in 2013. The study participants included 110 junior dental students (55 cases and 55 controls) who were evaluated in oral pathology. The data were analyzed by independent samples t-test and chi-square test using the SPSS statistical software, version 17.
The results showed that the mean score of practical pathology was higher in the group evaluated by the new method compared to that assessed using the traditional approach (t=2.041, p=0.003).
Based on the results, the designed evaluation method was a proper tool to assess students’ ability in practical oral pathology. Thus, oral pathology professors are recommended to apply this tool. Yet, further studies should be conducted to determine the reason for effectiveness of this method.