The effect of smartphone filming on student confidence in dental anesthesia techniques: A randomized trial

Objectives: To examine the effect of individualized smartphone-recorded video review on dental student confidence in performing local anesthesia (LA) techniques, in a manikin-based simulation environment. Methods: All University of Minnesota second-year dental students were invited to participate in this randomized trial developed following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement, in 2020. With a parallel trial design, 104 students were randomly divided into two groups (52 per group) prior to the learning experience. Students and researchers were not blinded to group assignments. All students learned LA techniques in the same manikin-based simulation setting. The experimental group incorporated individualized smartphone filming into simulation training, and the control group did not. A paper-based questionnaire with 19 5-point Likert scale questions assessed the students’ self-rated confidence levels in LA techniques before, immediately after, and approximately one month after the training. Results: The final sample included 45 students in the experimental group (48.4%) and 48 in the control group (51.6%). In both groups, student confidence in performing LA techniques increased after completion of the training (p < 0.001), with no harm reported. The experimental group reported greater confidence in inferior alveolar nerve injection (p = 0.038), and in local anesthetic administration rate (p = 0.029), compared with the control group. Conclusions: This study suggested that the incorporation of smartphone-recorded video review in simulation training is beneficial for learning LA techniques. Further investigation on teaching methods to enhance student confidence and performance in LA administration is indicated.