Number
631
Name
Enhanced microbiology and Immunology learning through incorporation of customizable third-party curricular resource in dental education
Date & Time
Monday, June 8, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location Name
Oglethorpe Ballroom
Speakers
Authors
Bo-young Hong, NSU MD
Maria Hernandez, NSY CDM
Jorge Cervantes, NSU MD
Presentation Topic(s)
Student Support
Description
PURPOSE. A common denominator for all healthcare professions is the need
for well-understood infection processes and their control. Modern technology
and digital evolution have changed the educational environment providing
students with better academic opportunities, teaching techniques, and
learning tools. Although there are several digital learning resources for
medical students, their use amongst dental students is rather limited, with a
scarcity in the literature about their effectiveness in dental schools.
We aimed to evaluate the impact of a customizable third-party curricular
resource in microbiology and immunology learning by dental students.
METHODS. Customized modules related to delivered session were offered to
190 students participating in the Dental Microbiology course.
RESULTS. A positive correlation between number of modules used and grades
was found, meaning that students who used a larger number of modules obtained
higher scores. Although there were no significant differences in the grades
overall, a slight increase between high users compared to non-users was
observed.
Although it is possible that already high performing students were more
likely to use the modules, results point out that usage of the modules may
prevent failing the course.
CONCLUSIONS. Enhanced microbiology learning could be achieved through the
incorporation of novel additional educational support in dental education
Given the importance of offering all healthcare professions the educational
innovations that seem to benefit medical students, it is imperative that we
bridge the gap across healthcare professions for well-understood infection
processes and their control. There is an existent need for well-understood
infection processes and their control across healthcare professions. This is
especially important in times where cross-disciplinary learning and
collaboration, sometimes in the form of combined DDS/MD programs, are
bridging gaps and promoting unifying oral and systemic health. This
initiative could serve as a starting point of the inclusion of this approach
in other dental schools.
for well-understood infection processes and their control. Modern technology
and digital evolution have changed the educational environment providing
students with better academic opportunities, teaching techniques, and
learning tools. Although there are several digital learning resources for
medical students, their use amongst dental students is rather limited, with a
scarcity in the literature about their effectiveness in dental schools.
We aimed to evaluate the impact of a customizable third-party curricular
resource in microbiology and immunology learning by dental students.
METHODS. Customized modules related to delivered session were offered to
190 students participating in the Dental Microbiology course.
RESULTS. A positive correlation between number of modules used and grades
was found, meaning that students who used a larger number of modules obtained
higher scores. Although there were no significant differences in the grades
overall, a slight increase between high users compared to non-users was
observed.
Although it is possible that already high performing students were more
likely to use the modules, results point out that usage of the modules may
prevent failing the course.
CONCLUSIONS. Enhanced microbiology learning could be achieved through the
incorporation of novel additional educational support in dental education
Given the importance of offering all healthcare professions the educational
innovations that seem to benefit medical students, it is imperative that we
bridge the gap across healthcare professions for well-understood infection
processes and their control. There is an existent need for well-understood
infection processes and their control across healthcare professions. This is
especially important in times where cross-disciplinary learning and
collaboration, sometimes in the form of combined DDS/MD programs, are
bridging gaps and promoting unifying oral and systemic health. This
initiative could serve as a starting point of the inclusion of this approach
in other dental schools.