[prepCheck computer-supported objective evaluation of students preparation in preclinical simulation laboratory].

Area of Science:

• Dental Education Technology
• Digital Dentistry
• Preclinical Simulation

Context:

• Traditional dental education relies on subjective faculty assessment of tooth preparations.
• Preclinical simulation laboratories require significant faculty time for mentoring.
• Objective and consistent evaluation methods are needed to support student learning.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the utility of prepCheck software for objective assessment of tooth preparations.
• To explore the potential of digital tools in dental education for self-assessment.
• To identify areas for improvement in the current prepCheck workflow.

Summary:

• PrepCheck software provides objective, standardized comparisons of student tooth preparations.
• It enables students to perform self-assessments, reducing reliance on faculty for immediate feedback.
• The current three-scan process (preparation, occlusion, opposite jaw) is time-consuming, with a preference for a one-scan procedure.

Impact:

• PrepCheck has the potential to relieve faculty from extensive mentoring time in preclinical labs.
• It offers students an objective, consistent method for self-evaluation of their preparations.
• The software is user-friendly and poised to become essential for future dental education assessment.