Evaluating the efficacy of OralDETECT training: Face-to-face versus online delivery in dental education

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of face-to-face (F2F) and online OralDETECT training programme in enhancing early detection skills for oral cancer. Methods: A total of 328 final-year dental students were trained across six cohorts. Three cohorts (175 students) received F2F training from the academic years 2016/2017 to 2018/2019, and the remaining three (153 students) underwent online training during the Covid-19 pandemic from 2019/2020 to 2021/2022. Participant scores were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, the Mann-Whitney test, Cohen's d effect size, and multiple linear regression. Results: Both F2F and online training showed increases in mean scores from pre-test to post-test 3: from 67.66 +/- 11.81 to 92.06 +/- 5.27 and 75.89 +/- 11.03 to 90.95 +/- 5.22, respectively. Comparison between F2F and online methods revealed significant differences in mean scores with large effect sizes at the pre-test stage (p < 0.001), while significant differences with small effect sizes were noted for post-test 1 (p = 0.002) and post-test 3 (p = 0.041). Regression analysis indicated that the delivery method is associated with the participants' final scores. Conclusion: F2F and online versions of the OralDETECT training programme significantly enhance participants' knowledge and skills in oral cancer detection. Although F2F appeared to be more effective, the difference was not substantial enough to be considered educationally meaningful.