Addition of an audience response system in a biomedical science course improves learning environment and student performance.

The effectiveness of incorporating an audience response system (ARS) in improving the learning environment and student performance was assessed in a didactic biomedical science course at a large US dental school. Instructors and students were surveyed for their experiences of using Top Hat-based ARS in a multi-disciplinary biomedical science course. Average exam scores and grade distribution for challenging sections on immunology and developmental biology were compared before and after incorporating ARS.

H19 influenza A virus exhibits species-specific MHC class II receptor usage.

Avian influenza A virus (IAV) surveillance in Northern California, USA, revealed unique IAV hemagglutinin (HA) genome sequences in cloacal swabs from lesser scaups. We found two closely related HA sequences in the same duck species in 2010 and 2013. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that both sequences belong to the recently discovered H19 subtype, which thus far has remained uncharacterized.

Guided inquiry-based learning to enhance student engagement, confidence, and learning.

Purpose: This study explores the impact of guided inquiry-based learning (IBL) on student engagement and performance in a dental hygiene program. The research was conducted with 36 dental hygiene students, focusing on enhancing student engagement using a guided IBL methodology that could ultimately lead to improved student performance and confidence.

Methods: Delivered through two interventions, pre-, post-, and delayed post-tests evaluated student performance and confidence, while the ASPECT survey assessed student engagement.

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on dental school assessments - Current status and future perspectives.

Purpose: To evaluate course directors' feedback on the assessment methods used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and identify effective approaches for future assessments in dental education.

Methods: Course directors at the US dental schools were surveyed for changes in assessments implemented during the early stages of the pandemic (March-July 2020) using the Qualtrics platform. The survey questions addressed assessment methods utilized in didactic, preclinical, and clinical arenas pre-COVID-19 (before March 2020) and during the early phase of the pandemic (between March and July 2020) and identified any sustained changes in assessments post-COVID-19.