Learning Games: A New Tool for Orthodontic Education

Learning games that are based on current scientific concepts are underutilized in dental education. This paper explores the relevant science of learning and discusses several principles that are conducive to learning and teaching in an educational setting, namely retrieval practice, feedback, motivation, and engagement. A discussion of learning games in health professional education ensues, followed by a description of relevant best practices in game design for learning. This paper concludes by presenting Dealodontics©, a card game developed at New York University College of Dentistry with the goal of helping second-year dental students review, practice, and apply basic skills relevant to their orthodontics competency requirements.