Effects of Problem-Based Learning on the Problem-Solving Ability and Self-Efficacy of Students Majoring in Dental Hygiene

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 19; no. 12; p. 7491
• Main Authors: Choi, Jin-Sun, Bae, Soo-Myoung, Shin, Sun-Jung, Shin, Bo-Mi, Lee, Hyo-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 18.06.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Correlation analysis; Critical thinking; Dentistry; Education; Humans; Independent study; Medical research; Nursing; Oral Hygiene; Problem based learning; Problem Solving; Professionals; Questionnaires; Schools; Self Efficacy; Skills; Students; problem-based learning; dental hygiene; problem-solving ability; self-efficacy
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127491

This study developed a problem-based learning (PBL) module to improve integrated thinking and problem-solving ability in students of dental hygiene. After applying PBL, the study tested the improvement in the problem-solving ability and self-efficacy of students. The subjects were 31 fourth-year students of the Department of Dental Hygiene at G University. The PBL process was applied to three topics for 15 weeks, and the tools for evaluating problem-solving ability and self-efficacy were reconstructed and used before and after the application to examine the effects of the module. The result indicates that the mean of problem-solving ability (32 detailed items) increased from 3.37 to 3.65 (an increase of 0.28) after classes (p < 0.001). Alternatively, the average for self-efficacy (22 detailed questions) increased from 0.21 to 2.89 (p < 0.05; an increase of 2.67). The study also confirmed the correlation between problem-solving ability and the total posttest score for self-efficacy (p < 0.001). Thus, the problem-solving ability and self-efficacy of learners were improved in the class to which PBL was applied. These improvements exerted a significant effect on the improvement of problem-solving ability. This finding confirmed the effect of the PBL method on dental hygiene education.