Complete Denture Preclinical Training Program and Digital Tools: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Prosthodontics
• Digital Health

Background:

• Preclinical dental education for complete denture fabrication traditionally relies on manual techniques.
• Integrating digital training offers a novel approach to skill acquisition in dental curricula.
• Assessing the efficacy of digital tools in enhancing conceptual skills is crucial for modernizing dental education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of digital training on conceptual skill acquisition for custom tray fabrication and tooth arrangement in preclinical complete denture fabrication.
• To compare the effectiveness of digital versus conventional (manual) training methods.
• To investigate student satisfaction with digital training methods.

Main Methods:

• A crossover study design was employed, comparing conventional and digital training in third-year dental students.
• The study involved two parts: custom tray fabrication (DP1) and tooth arrangement (DP2).
• Statistical analysis (Student's t-test) and Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) scores were used to assess skill acquisition and performance differences.

Main Results:

• Students who underwent initial digital training demonstrated improved performance in subsequent manual sessions for both custom tray fabrication and tooth arrangement.
• Dexterity, as indicated by PAT scores, influenced performance, with higher-skilled students excelling in manual tasks and both high and moderate-skilled students performing well in digital sessions.
• Student satisfaction with digital sessions was moderate, with 40% in DP1 and 12% in DP2 expressing satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Digital training, when used complementarily with manual instruction, can enhance student learning in preclinical complete denture fabrication.
• Digital tools show potential for improving manual skill outcomes but have limitations in detecting learning difficulties and significantly boosting student satisfaction.
• Further research into optimizing digital tool integration in dental curricula is warranted.