[ZApprO versus ZÄPrO: results of a first comparative study].

Background: More than 60 years after the enactment of the first Licensing Regulations for Dentists (ZÄPrO), a new Licensing Regulations for Dentists, the ZApprO, was implemented in 2020. The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare the "Course in Technical Propaedeutics" (TPK) with the course "Dental Propaedeutics with a Focus on Dental Technology" (ZPDT), which are based on different legal foundations.

Methods: The following parameters were compared after completion of the courses: (1) theoretical and practical knowledge, (2) regular department-internal learner evaluation, and (3) special evaluation of learning conditions by the learners and (4) by the instructors. The theoretical and practical exams and the questionnaires were analyzed in terms of their test-statistical characteristics (difficulty, discrimination index, internal consistency). Group comparisons between TPK and ZPDT were conducted using t‑tests for independent groups.

Results: Significant differences were only detected in the students' evaluation of their learning conditions, with theoretical and practical knowledge transfer being rated lower in the TPK than in the ZPDT.

Discussion: The comparable results of the knowledge assessments and the regular learner evaluation, triangulated with the comprehensive learner and instructor evaluation, allowed a broad assessment of both courses. The significant differences identified provide opportunities for optimization of the newly implemented ZPDT course.