Correlation between Academic and Psychomotor Skills Performances of Dental Students in Complete Denture Prosthodontics

Aims: This study was designed to determine if there is correlation between academic performance of students in complete denture prosthodontics and psychomotor skills for record blocks fabrication/complete denture teeth set up.

Study Design: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Restorative Dentistry of the University of Port Harcourt between July and October 2015.

Methodology: Departmental examination records of all dental students who had done complete denture prosthodontic course and sat for professional examination in the subject since 2011 when the very first was organized were reviewed. The examination involved written, test of psychomotor skills for fabrication of record blocks/complete denture teeth set up and viva. The practical evaluation was conducted by experienced external and internal examiners using already prepared checklist. The checklist includes occlusal vertical dimension, occlusion (inter-digitations, overbite & overjet), setting up on the ridge, adaptation and thickness of the denture base, extension of the flange and finishing. Spearman’s rank test was used to assess the correlation between academic and psychomotor skills performances.

Results: Six sets and a total number of 65 students had taken the course and sat for professional examination since the very first was organized in 2011. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was very low (0.237) and the relationship was almost statistically significant (P value was 0.06).

Conclusion: There was poor correlation between academic and psychomotor skills performances of dental students as it relates to complete denture prosthodontics. Conscious efforts should be made to recognize candidates who lag behind in psychomotor skills acquisition and to assist them.