Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate efficacy of case-based learning (CBL) focusing on the limited mouth opening temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptom. METHODS: Thirty dental resident trainees from the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) were enrolled in the study. The control group (n = 15; 2021-2022) received conventional CBL sessions focusing on TMD while completing standard clinical rotations. The experimental group (n = 15, 2023-2024) experienced CBL that focused exclusively on Limited Mouth Opening integrated with clinical training. Post-intervention assessments at 2 months included: (1) theoretical exams, (2) clinical competency evaluations (history-taking, imaging interpretation), and (3) validated satisfaction surveys. Analyses utilized SPSS 26.0 with χ²/Mann-Whitney U tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Both groups exhibited comparable theoretical knowledge (P = 0.35). The experimental group demonstrated superior clinical performance in history synthesis and temporomandibular joint imaging analysis. Post-training satisfaction surveys administered to both groups revealed that the experimental cohort demonstrated significantly higher mean scores (all p < 0.05) than controls across four core competencies: clinical reasoning, literature utilization, clinical documentation quality, and interdisciplinary collaboration. CONCLUSION: Integrating "Limited Mouth Opening" CBL with clinical training in the practical teaching of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can enhance residents' diagnostic acumen, cultivate multidisciplinary competencies in TMD management, and optimise evidence-based pedagogical outcomes through structured clinical reasoning development.