Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation
Effective teaching is a source of quality education in the dental curriculum. I'm blessed to have outstanding teachers at the University of North Carolina. I have realized that teaching effectiveness gradually changes along with innovative educational technologies. Fortunately, I'm passionate about educational technology in radiology and dentistry.
At Detroit Mercy Dental, I have developed and presented a new course on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3D imaging to integrate digital dentistry in 2021. Initially, my team and I launched a pilot test in 2020 to evaluate the advantages and limitations of the course. In 2021, the curriculum committee and the university approved the course to present it to fourth-year dental students. This course has digitized the holistic dental education at Detroit Mercy Dental. Our graduates can independently evaluate their 3D imaging and virtual treatment planning using CBCT technology. The students were to assess ten CBCTs for assessment and learning purposes independently. I developed a rubric for CBCT interpretation for dental students. The rubric consists of all aspects of general dentistry for virtual treatment planning and 3D imaging for diagnosis.
The new CBCT course allowed me to develop creative videos on guided implant surgery with Dr. Gurun and Dr. Fard in 2020. My thesis on CBCT education for pre-doctoral students was instrumental in creating and presenting this course at the Detroit Mercy Dental. I collaborated with graduate programs to integrate CBCT hands-on training in their advanced oral maxillofacial radiology course. I must acknowledge Dr. Anthony Neely, Dr. Bassam Kinaia, Dr. Zheng Zhou, Dr. Riyad Al-Qaqasmi, Dr. Susan Paurazas, Dr. Mazin Askar, and Dr. Christina Van Dam for collaborating with CBCT imaging in their graduate programs. We have integrated CBCT into an advanced oral and maxillofacial radiology course for graduate students. It has significantly increased the efficiency of virtual treatment planning, surgical guide preparation, and accurate diagnosis.
Installing digital sensors and external extraoral bitewings has increased teaching effectiveness and innovation at the Detroit Mercy Dental clinics. These innovations have significantly increased the efficiency of acquiring full-mouth radiographs. I must acknowledge the school leadership of Dr. Mert Aksu, Dr. Timothy Saunders, and Professor Kathi Shepherd for taking Detroit Mercy to greater heights. I must also recognize my radiology faculty and staff member for teaching students, faculty, and staff new technologies.
All the radiology courses have received stellar evaluations from dental students and residents. I go the extra mile by incorporating clinical videos and 3D hands-on training for dental students in the classroom and clinic. I have created and presented new PowerPoint presentations for all the radiology courses. In these courses, I have always focused on integrating preclinic radiology courses with clinical radiology practice. The dental students are excited to learn about CBCT applications using the latest software, such as In vivo six and implant studio. The harmonious integration between the two courses has made radiology courses easy and applicable for students to understand. It is my honor to acknowledge Dr. James Geist for believing in me to teach radiology courses effectively. His marvelous legacy has inspired me to become an effective teacher.
In conclusion, I continue to become an effective teacher using innovative teaching methods and clinical technologies. I'm fortunate to have wonderful colleagues and leaders at the Detroit Mercy Dental who excel in clinical teaching effectiveness and innovation.
-Tenzin Dadul
