Web-based educational programme for temporomandibular joint assessment with cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

Objectives: To develop and evaluate an educational web-based programme for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) assessment using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: A web-based educational programme was designed for TMJ assessment using CBCT images. Fifteen CBCT cases of the TMJ (three-dimensional reconstructed volumes) and an assessment module based on image analysis criteria in the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) were added to the programme. Thirty-six undergraduate dental students were invited to test the programme by assessing all cases twice: before and after 2 months of training. Participants submitted written subjective evaluations of the programme. Results: The web-based programme can be accessed on Malmö University webpage (www.cbct-tmj.mau.se). Despite limited CBCT learning in their undergraduate training and not using the programme in the 2-month interval, the students were able to correctly diagnose 80% of the cases at the second assessment. Their diagnoses, however, did not differ significantly from the first assessment. Overall, the students were satisfied with the programme and considered it user-friendly. Conclusion: The web-based educational programme that was developed in the present study and tested by dental students could be a useful educational tool for TMJ assessment using CBCT.