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Use of digital tools for preclinical training in complete denture: A pilot study
Audrey Porcherot1,2, Imane Maniani1, Marie-Violaine Berteretche1,3
1Faculty of Health, UFR Dentistry, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
Summary
Digital training enhanced dental students' custom tray fabrication skills, improving overall performance in preclinical education. This digital approach, combined with manual methods, aids in differentiating conceptual and motor skill acquisition.
Area of Science:
- Dental Education
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Prosthodontics
Background:
- Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technologies offer new possibilities for preclinical dental laboratory education.
- Digital training in custom tray fabrication was investigated to assess its benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of digital training on conceptual skill acquisition in custom tray fabrication.
- To determine if assessing digital work can help differentiate students' learning difficulties.
Main Methods:
- A cross-over study involved 154 third-year dental students, divided into groups A (manual first) and B (digital first).
- Motor skill tests, Student's t-tests, and Spearman's rank correlation were used to analyze learning outcomes and skill discrimination.
- Student satisfaction was assessed via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Group B, receiving digital training first, achieved higher scores in manual lab work.
- A weak correlation (R=.16) was found between digital and manual conceptual skill scores.
- Manual skill level influenced performance: highly skilled students excelled in manual tasks, while medium-skilled students performed better in digital tasks.
Conclusions:
- Digital training positively impacted students' performance in conventional practical exercises.
- Assessing both digital and conventional custom trays effectively distinguished between conceptual and motor skills.
- Over half of students found manual and digital sessions complementary for learning.
