en pediatric pediatric Review article Review article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:13pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""><span style="color:#2e74b5">Background and Aim</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""><span style="color:#2e74b5">:</span></span></span></span></b> <span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">Several studies have investigated the application of crossword puzzles in educational sectors. However, little research has particularly addressed their application and effectiveness in dentistry. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to map the current evidence regarding the inclusion of crossword puzzles in dental educational programs and their influence on the educational outcomes of dental students.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:13pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""><span style="color:#2e74b5">Materials and Methods: </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:" verdana="">We electronically searched the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases and hand-searched pertinent article references to solicit appropriate studies. A narrative synthesis was performed since the studies were heterogeneous in the result parameters.</span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:13pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""><span style="color:#2e74b5">Results: </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""><span style="color:#0e101a">Crossword puzzles provide students with an enjoyable and engaging learning experience, improve cognitive skills like comprehension and problem-solving, and promote active learning. They have received substantial backing from dental students for inclusion in the dental curricula.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:13pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""><span style="color:#2e74b5">Conclusion:</span></span></span></span></b> <span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="line-height:102%"><span style="font-family:" verdana=""><span style="color:#0e101a">Incorporation of crossword puzzles and other gamified approaches could be a promising option to enhance dental education practices.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> &nbsp;</div> Education, Dental, Gamification, Problem-Based Learning 73 81 http://jrdms.dentaliau.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1550-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Vini Mehta 100319475328460013992 100319475328460013992 Yes Department of Dental Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, India Snehasish Tripathy 100319475328460013993 100319475328460013993 No Department of Dental Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, India Shalini Aggarwal shalini.aggarwal@dpu.edu.in 100319475328460013994 100319475328460013994 No Department of Dental Education Unit, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, India Ankita Mathur amathur@statsense.in 100319475328460013995 100319475328460013995 No Department of Dental Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, India Aida Meto aidameto@yahoo.com 100319475328460013996 100319475328460013996 No Department of Dental Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, India,Department of Dentistry, University of Aldent, 1007 Tirana, Albania