Comparison between Two Kinds of Online Educational Interventions on Knowledge-Attitude and Practice of Prosthodontists about the Role of Intra-Oral Appliances in Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Somayeh Niakan; Somayeh Allahyari; Amirhossein Vakilli

doi:10.18502/jss.v6i(1-2).9290

Somayeh Niakan School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Somayeh Allahyari School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Amirhossein Vakilli School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jss.v6i(1-2).9290

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea; Mandibular advancement; Knowledge; Distance learning; Online education

Abstract

Background and Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) needs early detection and effective treatments to reduce the risk of its harmful consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of prosthodontists about OSA and oral appliances (OAs) after a period of training and comparative evaluation between two types of virtual education.

Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial with two types of educational interventions (PowerPoint and podcast) performed among the members of the Association of Prosthodontists (dentists who are specialist in prosthodontics) in 2020. The participants answered to a questionnaire which assessed their knowledge and practical actions about OSA. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and independent-sample t-test.

Results: Group A (PowerPoint) obtained higher scores in all knowledge sections compared to group B (podcast). Totally, the mean scores of group A in knowledge and practical sections were 77.56 ± 9.09 and 81.75 ± 12.39, respectively. In addition, the mean scores of group B in knowledge and practical sections were 74.72 ± 10.79 and 80.69 ± 14.05, respectively. The difference between the mean scores of the two groups in knowledge and practical sections was not significant.

Conclusion: The virtual educational intervention had positive effects on the knowledge and practice of prosthodontists about OSA and OAs. Although the power Point was more effective than podcasts, there was not significant difference between them.