Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of simulation-based local anaesthesia teaching strategies compared to the traditional classroom lecture format on the acquisition of knowledge by students. Subjects and methods Two groups of 10 students each were included in our study. Each of the dental students was enrolled in their third year of the programme. None of the students had ever received instructions in local anaesthesia. Group I received a 45-min instructional module that was delivered in the classroom in the traditional PowerPoint lecture format. Group II received a 45-min instructional module in the simulation laboratory as a short tutorial that was followed by an integrated practical demonstration and a hands-on practice session using local anaesthesia simulation phantoms. An identical 15-question multiple-choice test was used to test student knowledge acquisition at the end of the given session. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups, as the participants in group II had higher score results than those of group I. Conclusion In contrast to the traditional classroom lecture format, simulation-based local anaesthesia teaching is an effective tool to enhance the acquisition of theoretical knowledge by students.