A novel extended flipped classroom model helps dental undergraduates blossom into dentists

Background The lack of the ability to flexibly and accurately apply theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to clinical diagnosis and treatment has been one of the biggest barriers preventing dental undergraduates blossom into dentists. The flipped classroom model and simulation training system helping undergraduates with active learning by themselves have been a significant shift in medical education. Literatures about these topics are abundant, however, there is few practical flipped classroom model which could help dental undergraduates adapt to the status of dentists quickly. This study proposed a novel extended flipped classroom model (P-I-T-D-S Flipped Classroom Model) assisted by the simulation training system and verified its effectiveness. Methods The scores of sophomores majored in the Fundamentals of Stomatology at Air Force Medical University participated in the novel extended flipped classroom model and those participated in the traditional lecture model are compared. Moreover, a total of 39 participants (2023 cohort) were stratified and randomly assigned into a pre-class group and a post-class group based on the parity of their student identification numbers (even vs. odd) to explore better flipped classroom model. We descriptively analysed the quantitative data and thematically analysed the qualitative data. Results The scores of the undergraduates enrolled in the P-I-T-D-S Flipped Classroom Model (2023) are significantly higher than those taught under the Traditional Lecture-Based Model (2022). More interestingly, the scores in the pre-class group raised significantly higher than those in the post-class group, which might be related to the active learning model. What’s more, the undergraduates in the P-I-T-D-S Flipped Classroom Model showed higher willingness to participate in and satisfaction of the class. Conclusion The P-I-T-D-S flipped classroom medical education model, through active learning, can effectively stimulate the learning enthusiasm of dental students, thereby improving their learning efficiency of basic dental knowledge and clinical practice ability.