THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MNEMONIC METHODS IN DENTAL EDUCATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICE

This study investigates the effectiveness of mnemonic methods in dental education and examines their implications for pedagogical practice. Dental students are required to master a vast amount of theoretical knowledge and clinical information, which often leads to cognitive overload and difficulties in long-term retention. Traditional memorization strategies are frequently insufficient for managing such complexity. This paper analyzes how mnemonic techniques—including acronyms, visualization, and associative learning—enhance memory retention, support knowledge structuring, and improve overall learning efficiency. Special emphasis is placed on their application in dental anatomy, oral pathology, and clinical disciplines. The findings suggest that mnemonic-based learning significantly improves recall speed, accuracy, and student engagement. Furthermore, these methods contribute to the development of structured thinking and facilitate the application of knowledge in clinical contexts. The study concludes that integrating mnemonic strategies into dental education can substantially enhance both academic performance and professional competence.