Perceived Educational Value of a Self-Developed 3D-Printed Pediatric Dentistry Simulator

To design and assess a 3D-printed pediatric dentistry simulator and to evaluate its perceived educational value and realism through student and expert feedback.

A maxillary simulator that is mountable on phantom heads was developed and produced by desktop stereolithography with single-use inserts, enabling proximal caries management/restoration, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, immature-incisor apexification, pit-and-fissure sealant application, tooth replantation with splinting, and space-maintainer placement. Both students and experts tested the device and completed a purpose-built 22-item Likert questionnaire assessing perceived clinical realism, perceived educational value, and overall appraisal. Group responses were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests (p < 0.05).

Thirty-five participants (17 students, 18 experts) evaluated the device. Students generally rated clinical realism higher than experts did. Both groups awarded high scores for perceived educational value. The conclusive items "reliable teaching tool" and "asset to preclinical training" received mean scores of 4.82 and 4.94 among students and 4.44 and 4.25 among experts, respectively. Suggested improvements included gingival texture, space-maintainer design, endodontic haptics, canine morphology, and radiographic compatibility.

This 3D-printed pediatric dentistry simulator was received positively by students and experts and was perceived as an acceptable and educationally relevant tool for preclinical pediatric dentistry training, while also highlighting specific areas for technical refinement.