The Effect of a Hands-On Suturing Workshop on Improving Clinical Skills of Dental Students

Authors

1 Department of Periodontics, Dental Implant Research Center, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Graduate Student, Dental Student’s Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Post Graduate Student, Dental Student’s Research Committee, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

10.22122/jids.v21.i2.0151

Abstract

Introduction: Proper wound closure is essential for tissue healing after surgery. As primary oral surgeons, general dentists must acquire proficient suturing skills. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a hands-on suturing workshop on dental students' knowledge and performance.
Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 102 fifth- and sixth-year dental students from Isfahan (2021), randomly allocated into intervention and control groups (n=51 each). Participant’s knowledge and performance regarding intraoral suturing were assessed before and one month after the workshop using questionnaires and checklists. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA, and Wilcoxon tests, with a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: The mean scores of knowledges and performance in suturing techniques were moderate overall. No significant correlation was found with gender, academic year, or GPA. However, scores showed a significant relationship with baseline knowledge and the training method. The group that received hands-on training demonstrated significantly higher scores (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Dental students' knowledge and performance in suturing techniques are currently insufficient, and training in this area is limited. The hands-on workshop significantly improved both the knowledge and practical skills of students in intraoral suturing techniques.

Keywords


  1. Muhammed M. Providing Hands-On Experience Using RapidMiner in Undergraduate Data Mining Class. Orlando, FL, USA: Tennessee State University.
  2. Musharrat T. Teachers' Perceptions About Use and Challenges of Hands-On Activities in Secondary Science Classroom. Eur J Educ Stud 2020; 7(12).
  3. Ateş Ö, Eryilmaz A. Effectiveness of hands-on and minds-on activities on students' achievement and attitudes towards physics. Asia-Pac Forum Sci Learn Teach 2011; 12(1): 1-22.
  4. Handur V, Kalwad PD, Patil MS, Garagad VG, Yeligar N, Pattar P, et al. Integrating class and laboratory with hands-on programming: its benefits and challenges. Proceedings of the 2016 IEEE 4th International Conference on MOOCs, Innovation and Technology in Education (MITE); 2016.
  5. Haury DL, Rillero P. Perspectives of Hands-On Science Teaching. ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education; 1994.
  6. Sakamoto Y, Okamoto S, Shimizu K, Araki Y, Hirakawa A, Wakabayashi T. Hands-On Simulation Versus Traditional Video-Learning in Teaching Microsurgery Technique. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2017; 57(5): 238-245.
  7. Buck GH. Development of Simulators in Medical Education. Gesnerus 1991; 48 Pt 1: 7-28.
  8. Denson JS, Abrahamson S. A Computer-Controlled Patient Simulator. JAMA 1969; 208(3): 504-8.
  9. Wong K, Bhama PK, Mazimpaka JdA, Dusabimana R, Lee LN, Shaye DA. Banana Fruit: An "Appealing" Alternative for Practicing Suture Techniques in Resource-Limited Settings. Am J Otolaryngol 2018; 39(5): 582-4.
  10. Ghoshal R. 'Hands On Learning' in Medicine: Who Benefits? Econ Polit Wkly 2011: 46(42): 16-18.
  11. Hearns MK, Miller BK, Nelson DL. Hands-On Learning Versus Learning by Demonstration at Three Recall Points in University Students. OTJR. 2010; 30(4): 169-71.
  12. Issenberg SB, Scalese RJ. Simulation in Health Care Education. Perspect Biol Med 2008; 51(1): 31-46.
  13. Velde BP, Lane H, Clay M. Hands On Learning: The Use of Simulated Clients in Intervention Cases. J Allied Health 2009; 38(1): 17E-21E.
  14. Elshama SS. How to apply simulation-based learning in medical education? Iberoam J Med 2020; 2(2): 79-86.
  15. Minozzi F, Bollero P, Unfer V, Dolci A, Galli M. The sutures in dentistry. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2009; 13(3): 217-26.
  16. Davis B, Smith KD. Oral Surgery Suturing. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025.
  17. Byrne M, Aly A. The Surgical Suture. Aesthet Surg J 2019; 39(Suppl-2): S67-S72.
  18. Griffin TJ, Hur Y, Bu J. Basic suture techniques for oral mucosa. Clin Adv Periodontics 2011; 1(3): 221-32.
  19. Denadai R, Oshiiwa M, Saad-Hossne R. Does bench model fidelity interfere in the acquisition of suture skills by novice medical students? Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2012; 58(5): 600-6.
  20. Abdollahi AA, Yazdi Kh, Hosseini SA, Khoddam H. Effect of Stational Education on Students' Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Activity [in Persian]. Iranian Journal of Critical Care Nursing 2010; 3(3): 105-8.
  21. Routt E, Mansouri Y, de Moll EH, Bernstein DM, Bernardo SG, Levitt J. Teaching the Simple Suture to Medical Students for Long-Term Retention of Skill. JAMA Dermatol 2015; 151(7): 761-5.
  22. Chiu HY, Kang YN, Wang WL, Tong YS, Chang SW, Fong TH, et al. Gender Differences in the Acquisition of Suturing Skills With the da Vinci Surgical System. J Formos Med Assoc 2020; 119(1 Pt 3): 462-70.
  23. de Blacam C, O'Keeffe DA, Nugent E, Doherty E, Traynor O. Are residents accurate in their assessments of their own surgical skills? Am J Surg 2012; 204(5): 724-31.
  24. Canbeyli İD, Çırpar M, Oktaş B, Keskinkılıç Sİ. Comparison of Bench-Top Simulation Versus Traditional Training Models in Diagnostic Arthroscopic Skills Training. Eklem Hastalik Cerrahisi 2018; 29(3): 130-8.
  25. Kolozsvari NO, Andalib A, Kaneva P, Cao J, Vassiliou MC, Fried GM, et al. Sex Is Not Everything: The Role of Gender in Early Performance of a Fundamental Laparoscopic Skill. Surg Endosc 2011; 25(4): 1037-42.
  26. Amini A, Hassanzadeh Salmasi S, Shaghaghi A, Safaii N, Sedaghat K. The effect of clinical skills training on medical students clinical competencies in the management of vaginal delivery [in Persian]. Iran J Med Educ 2005; 5(1): 7-12.
  27. Bradley P. The history of simulation in medical education and possible future directions. Med Educ 2006; 40(3): 254-62.