ArticleFrontiers in medicine2026
Knowledge acquisition and retention following small-group case-based learning combined with sheep head animal model training in oral and maxillofacial surgery: a single-arm quasi-experimental study.
Article in Frontiers in medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: Developing competence in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) requires effective integration of theoretical knowledge with procedural understanding. In resource-limited educational settings, opportunities for patient-based surgical training may be restricted, highlighting the need for alternative instructional strategies. This study evaluated changes in OMFS knowledge acquisition and short-term retention following small-group case-based learning combined with sheep head animal model training among dental trainees. Methods: A single-arm, pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study was conducted among fifth-year undergraduate dental students and postgraduate dental interns at a single institution. Participants completed a standardized knowledge assessment at baseline (T0), immediately following the intervention (T1), and at a 4-week follow-up (T2). The educational intervention consisted of structured small-group case-based discussions integrated with supervised hands-on training using sheep head models. Knowledge scores were analyzed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Greenhouse-Geisser correction and Bonferroni-adjusted Results: Fifty-one participants completed all assessments (response rate 67.1%). Mean knowledge scores increased significantly from baseline (50.75 ± 14.87) to immediately post-intervention (73.57 ± 16.78) and remained significantly higher at follow-up (70.24 ± 17.17). A significant effect of time was observed [ Conclusion: Small-group case-based learning combined with sheep head animal model training was associated with substantial improvements in OMFS knowledge and meaningful retention at 4 weeks, alongside high learner satisfaction. Although objective surgical skills were not assessed, this low-cost, simulation-enhanced educational approach may support competency development in OMFS, particularly in resource-limited training environments. Future studies employing controlled designs and objective skills-based assessments are warranted.
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