Prediction of preclinical operative dentistry performance in two instructional methods.

This study evaluated the accuracy of manual and academic variables in predicting preclinical operative technique performance. In addition, it tested and compared two teaching methods and their effects on performance outcomes. Simple correlations and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used. Although correlations were low, they were significant for predicting performance using the Perceptual Motor Ability Test (PMAT) of the Dental Admission Test (DAT). The treatment of the two groups showed that students with low or average two dimension (2D) scores on the PMAT benefited from an alternate teaching method in the preclinical operative technique course.