Traditional Versus Bootcamp Teaching Model for a Preclinical CAD/CAM Course: A Comparative Analysis

Introduction This study compared the effectiveness of traditional and bootcamp course models for a preclinical CAD/CAM dental school course in 2022 by assessing students' own perceptions of preparedness and course faculty and student teaching assistant (TA) perceptions of engagement, preparedness and material retention. Materials and Methods The traditional course model was taught weekly for 10 weeks, while the bootcamp course included 10 sessions over 1 week shortly before the students' transition to clinic. Students completed course evaluation surveys, and the faculty and TAs completed an online questionnaire. Results Students ( n = 107 traditional and n = 96 bootcamp, 96.2% responded) from both course models strongly agreed/agreed that the course prepared them to deliver CAD/CAM restorations in clinic (91.1% traditional vs. 91.7% bootcamp). Similarly, most students strongly agreed/agreed that the course gave them the confidence for clinic (93.9% traditional vs. 97.9% bootcamp). For faculty and TAs ( n = 7 faculty and 16 TAs, 85.2% responded), most faculty reported the bootcamp model to be more effective for student engagement (57.1%), preparedness (71.4%) and material retention (100%). The TAs also thought the bootcamp model was better for student engagement (50.0%) and material retention (50.0%), but more TAs thought the traditional format was better for preparedness (43.8% vs. 31.3% bootcamp). Overall, 100.0% of the course faculty recommended implementing a bootcamp format for all students, compared to 43.8% of TAs. Conclusion Bootcamp models could be equally effective teaching methods in preclinical dental education and may provide benefits such as greater material retention and more confidence for students entering the clinic.