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

Jin-Sun Choi; Soo-Myoung Bae; Sun-Jung Shin; Bo-Mi Shin; Hyo-Jin Lee

doi:10.3390/ijerph19127491

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

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 18;19(12):7491. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19127491.

Authors

Jin-Sun Choi^{1

2}, Soo-Myoung Bae^{1

2}, Sun-Jung Shin^{1

2}, Bo-Mi Shin^{1

2}, Hyo-Jin Lee^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung-si 25457, Korea.
² Research Institute of Oral Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung-si 25457, Korea.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: dental hygiene; problem-based learning; problem-solving ability; self-efficacy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Oral Hygiene
Problem Solving
Problem-Based Learning*
Self Efficacy*
Students

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea, which is funded by the Korea government (MSIT; No. 2019R1G1A1009611).