“Produce and Promote the Novel Optımal Toothpaste”: A team project for dentıstry students extendıng far beyond comprehensıon of an essentıal bıochemıcal learnıng ıssue

Ferhan G. Sagin*, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Dept of Biochemistry, 35100 Izmir, REPUBLIC OF TURKIYE.

PURPOSE: The need for new educational strategies enabling effective learning in the context of real life challenges continues. Effective comprehension of the active agents in toothpastes in the biochemistry curriculum for the Faculty of Dentistry was my primary aim. I developed a team project for the deign of production and promotion of a novel product to meet the multifaceted requirements.

METHODS: The students had to role play the members of a research & development unit and the executive board of a toothpaste company. The challenge was to create an optimally formulated and cost-profitable brand new product. The teams worked for 3 weeks on conducting a needs assessment protocol; determining the target for promotion; learning the formulation (active agents) in toothpaste / its effects and the costs; formulating the desired content; developing concept, brand name and market strategy for the new product; and finally persuading the “Executive Board” who then critically appraised the presentation according to the predefined criteria including creativity, scientific content, etc.

RESULTS: Compiled analysis of the questionnaires (5 years & 300 students) indicate that the strategy is challenging / stimulating for effective learning; profoundly enjoyable; adds real life spirit / thrill to basic science; integrates knowledge and critical thinking skills; and draws attention to possible ethical issues.

CONCLUSION/FUTURE DIRECTIONS: This strategy facilitated comprehension of the specific learning issue and helped construct / adopt other desirable attitudes: creative thinking, communication & presentation skills, problem solving, and critical evaluation of literature. An in-depth correlation study of the data is foreseen.