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Background: Problem-based learning is used widely in pharmacy and medical programmes, incorporating realistic patient scenarios into regular teaching as a way of linking theory to practice. Routine case-based learning lessons ranges from real patient involvement, scripted patient scenarios, digital simulations (avatars) as well as through media such as Zoom. The existing literature has explored the extensive benefits of using patients in clinical education, but fewer studies have directly compared the efficacy of each model as learning tools., Aim: To compare student perceptions of patient-based learning models to elicit student empathy, increase engagement, improve knowledge, and enrich learning experience., Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to second-year pharmacy students in Swansea University to gather their perceptions on the nine different patient-based learning models in their routine teaching (SUMS RESC 2023-0011). Students were asked to rank their experience of the models explicitly against each other, based on the four pillars of (1) eliciting student empathy, (2) increasing engagement, (3) improving knowledge and (4) enriching the learning experience. Students were also asked to rate the significance of realism (i.e. knowing the patient demographics/having a visual representation of the patient) to their experience., Results: Altogether, 31 student rankings of the nine learning models were weighted (9 = highest rank; 1 = lowest ranked). The data showed clear preferences for real-patient involvement over fictional cases, especially for eliciting empathy. Interestingly, scripted scenarios were rated highly for both engagement and learning experience only when avatars were involved, which suggests a role of animated visual representation of the patient in facilitating these outcomes., Conclusion: Whilst it is useful to have multiple patient-based learning models, this study serves as a guide for educators in preparing case-based learning sessions for achieving the desired outcomes of any of the four pillars above.

Calcium phosphate exhibits excellent biocompatibility, and with particle size in the nanoscale, calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CPNPs) were explored to replace the hydroxyapatite lost in the nanoporous teeth due to dental erosion. CPNPs (2% w/v) colloidally stabilised by sodium citrate were synthesised via co-precipitation. They were characterised in terms of particle size, morphology, crystallinity, Ca/P ratio and calcium ion release. To ensure uniformity of the substrate, hydroxyapatite (HA) discs were examined as an alternative substrate model to enamel. They were eroded in acetate buffer (0.5 M; pH 4.0) at various timepoints (1, 5, 10, 30 min, and 2, 4 h), and their physical differences compared to enamel were assessed in terms of surface microhardness, surface roughness and step height. The remineralisation properties of the synthesised CPNPs on eroded HA discs at different pH levels were investigated. It was established that CPNPs were heterogeneously deposited on the HA discs at pH 9.2, whereas newly precipitated minerals from CPNPs were potentially formed at pH 6.2.

The emergence of nanomaterials for dental treatments is encouraged by the nanotopography of the tooth structure, together with the promising benefits of nanomedicine. The use of nanoparticles in dentistry, also termed as 'nanodentistry', has manifested in applications for remineralisation, antimicrobial activity, local anaesthesia, anti-inflammation, osteoconductivity and stem cell differentiation. Besides the applications on dental tissues, nanoparticles have been used to enhance the mechanical properties of dental composites, improving their bonding and anchorage and reducing friction. The small particle size allows for enhanced permeation into deeper lesions, and reduction in porosities of dental composites for higher mechanical strength. The large surface area to volume ratio allows for enhanced bioactivity such as bonding and integration, and more intense action towards microorganisms. Controlled release of encapsulated bioactive molecules such as drugs and growth factors enables them to be delivered more precisely, with site-targeted delivery for localised treatments. These properties have benefitted across multiple fields within dentistry, including periodontology and endodontics and reengineering of dental prosthetics and braces. This review summarises the current literature on the emerging field of nanomaterials for dental treatments., (© 2020 The Author(s).)