Integration of Digital Dentistry into a Predoctoral Implant Program: Program Description, Rationale, and Utilization Trends

The Impact of Technology Teaching in the Dental Predoctoral Curriculum on Students' Perception of Digital Dentistry

The goal was to assess dental students' perception of digital technologies after participating in a CAD/CAM exercise for scanning, designing, and manufacturing computer-aided provisional fixed dental restorations. A survey was conducted among second- (pre-D2 and post-D2), first- (D1, negative control), third-, and fourth-year dental students (D3 and D4, positive controls). Only OSU College of Dentistry students who completed the activity and completed the surveys were included. Seven questions were rated, which evaluated changes in knowledge, skill, interest, the importance of technology availability in an office, patients' perception of technology, the importance of having the technology, and the expected frequency of clinics utilizing the technology. Statistical analysis was performed with a significance level of 0.05. A total of 74 pre-D2 and 77 post-D2 questionnaires were completed. Additionally, 63 D1, 43 D3, and 39 D4 participants responded to the survey. Significant differences were found for "knowledge" and "skill" between the pre-D2 and post-D2 and pre-D2 and control groups (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the post-D2 participants and all the controls in terms of "interest" (p = 0.0127) and preference for in-practice technology availability (p < 0.05). There were significant results between the post-D2 participants and all the controls regarding the importance of technology availability in an office (p < 0.001) and the expected frequency of clinics utilizing the technology (p = 0.01). No significance was found for "value of technology to patients" and "the importance of having the technology". The presence of technology in practice and in educational academic environments significantly improved students' interest and perception of their knowledge and skill.

Influence of different education approaches on the implantation performance of dental practitioners in aesthetic zone

PURPOSE

To investigate the influence of different education approaches on the implantation performance (operation time, three-dimensional deviation) of inexperienced operators.

METHODS

Eighteen students who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to traditional training group or digital training group. After training, the average operation time and implant deviation (platform deviation, apex deviation, and angle deviation) of the two groups were calculated by Student's t-test. A self-developed questionnaire was used to evaluate the students' grasp of clinical knowledge and skill.

RESULT

Compared with the traditional training group, the duration of implant installation and temporary prosthesis placement of the digital training group decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The implant deviation of the digital training group was lower than that of the traditional training group. The apex deviation (p = 0.015) and angle deviation (p = 0.015) significantly improved with digital training, but differences in platform deviation (p = 0.065) were not statistically significant. The questionnaire survey showed that the overall perception of the inexperienced operators in the digital training group was better than that in the traditional training group.

CONCLUSION

In the hands of inexperienced operators, digital training reduced the operation time and improved the implant accuracy in comparison with traditional training.

Digital technologies in dentistry in Saudi Arabia: Perceptions, practices and challenges

Background

The aim of this study was to assess practicing dentists' characteristics and professional aspects that influence users to adopt Digital Technologies in Dentistry (DTD) in Saudi Arabia (SA). Moreover, we aimed to identify dentists' perceived barriers and challenges and to anticipate future potential developments towards implementing DTDs in their practices in SA.

Methods

This analytical cross-sectional study based on a validated questionnaire was conducted using a snowball sampling technique to include a conveniently selected sample of dentists from all dental specialties currently working in SA.

Results

The response rate was 64% completed and returned. A statistically significantly large share of Gen X (10.1%) used digital technologies (DTs) in dental practice compared with non-digital users. 40% received sufficient postgraduate education on DT, 92% agreed that DT should be included in the undergraduate dental curriculum. However, 79% actually gained skills or knowledge on DT through workshops and formal courses. 'Lack of practitioners' awareness', 'lack of education and pioneers' and 'lack of clinical evidence' were highlighted as the foremost barriers. Lower-frequency DT users believed that treating patients with DT makes treatment more predictable. Together, clinical trials and hands-on training courses can help overcome the barriers to the adoption of new dental technologies.

Conclusions

Exploring technology adoption and usage amongst practicing dentists allows healthcare stakeholders and policymakers to set a clear direction towards the digitalisation of the healthcare system and within healthcare organisations. The study also highlighted the foremost barriers, challenges and actions towards the adoption of DTDs.

Procedure Time and Students’ Perception Comparing Full Arch Digital Scans with Conventional Impressions: A Cross-Over Randomized Experimental Trial

Methods

Ninety-six dental students each prepared tooth #36 for an all-ceramic crown on typodont models and were then randomly assigned into either group A: performed digital scan first, or Group B: performed conventional impression first. Procedure time was recorded for both. Immediately following each procedure, students indicated their perceived procedure difficulty. After exposure to both techniques, they selected their preferred one.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference between the mean procedure time of both techniques (P < 0.0001), where students spent 663.76 ± 442.50 seconds to complete the conventional impression and 293.32 ± 181.49 seconds to complete the digital scan. Females were significantly faster in completing the conventional impression compared to males. On the contrary, male students were faster in digital scanning than female students. There were no carryover effects in the duration and the initially performed procedure. 76% (73 of 96) of participants preferred digital scanning with no statistical significance shown between the preferred and initially performed procedure. Participants perceived conventional impressions to be more difficult than digital scans. There was a weak positive correlation between the VAS score and the procedure time for the digital technique (R = 0.25) and a moderate positive correlation for the conventional technique (R = 0.45).

Conclusions

The digital technique was preferred and perceived as easier than the conventional among undergraduate dental students with no impression-making experience, suggesting their readiness for new technology uptake. However, no significant correlation was found between the initially performed procedure and preference.

Rating criteria to evaluate student performance in digital wax-up training using multi-purpose software

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to introduce rating criteria to evaluate student performance in a newly developed, digital wax-up preclinical program for computer-aided design (CAD) of full-coverage crowns and preliminarily investigate the reliability and internal consistency of the rating system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study, conducted in 2017, enrolled 47 fifth-year dental students of Okayama University Dental School. Digital wax-up training included a fundamental practice using computer graphics (CG), multipurpose CAD software programs, and an advanced practice to execute a digital wax-up of the right mandibular second molar (#47). Each student’s digital wax-up work (stereolithography data) was evaluated by two instructors using seven qualitative criteria. The total qualitative score (0-90) of the criteria was calculated. The total volumetric discrepancy between each student’s digital wax-up work and a reference prepared by an instructor was automatically measured by the CAD software. The inter-rater reliability of each criterion was analyzed using a weighted kappa index. The relationship between the total volume discrepancy and the total qualitative score was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation.

RESULTS

The weighted kappa values for the seven qualitative criteria ranged from 0.62 - 0.93. The total qualitative score and the total volumetric discrepancy were negatively correlated (ρ = -0.27, P = .09, respectively); however, this was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The established qualitative criteria to evaluate students’ work showed sufficiently high inter-rater reliability; however, the digitally measured volumetric discrepancy could not sufficiently predict the total qualitative score.

Understanding the complexities of digital dentistry integration in high-volume dental institutions

The purpose of this article is to detail the primary challenges faced by large dental institutions as they incorporate digital dentistry into their mainstream workflow. Integration of digital technology is easier in private practices with smaller patient volumes and fewer trained staff required. Additionally, in private practices, scanning, designing and milling frequently occur in a single location, which does not require an external digital data transfer. However, large dental institutions must overcome several barriers which are uniquely generated by their large-scale operation. Numerous individuals must be comprehensively and efficiently trained to operate the advanced technologies. The digital software must seamlessly integrate with existing software and an internal infrastructure must be established capable of handling massive data inputs. High-volume production in large dental institutions requires the involvement of external laboratories to meet demand. This outsourcing presents a new challenge of safe digital data transfer in accordance with patient privacy and protection regulations set forth by governing agencies. It is vital for large dental institutions to recognise the unique challenges thrust upon them as they attempt to incorporate a digital workflow. With proper forethought and planning an appropriate infrastructure may be established allowing for a smooth and safe transition to the digital era.

Accuracy and practicality of intraoral scanner in dentistry: A literature review

PURPOSE

The digitization of the dental field has been vigorously promoted in recent years. An impression using an intraoral scanner is considered to significantly change future dental treatment. The purpose of this review is to evaluate accuracy and practicality of various intraoral scanners and verification method of intraoral scanners.

STUDY SELECTION

This review was based on articles searched through the MEDLINE and PubMed databases. The main keywords that were employed during the search were "Oral Scanner, Intraoral Scanners, Desktop Scanner, and Digital Impression".

RESULT

It was reported that illuminance and color temperature affected trueness and precision of intraoral scanners. The repeatability of intraoral scanners indicated the possibility of producing fixed prostheses within the range of being partially edentulous. It is considered difficult to use intraoral scanners in fabricating cross-arch fixed prostheses. However, with intraoral scanners, it may be considered possible to fabricate mouth guards and dentures equivalent to those of desktop scanners. Current intraoral scanner scans are considered more comfortable than traditional impressions that use irreversible hydrocolloid and elastomeric impression materials.

CONCLUSION

Since the intraoral scanner is an evolving device, further improvement in accuracy is expected in the future. In addition, verification of the accuracy of intraoral scanners must be conducted accordingly.

Lean Methods Applied to CAD/CAM Pedagogy in the Dental Simulation Laboratory

Dental education is incorporating computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) into patient care delivery. The aim of this study was to determine if lean production methods applied to the preclinical phase of dental education would reduce the students' time (efficiency) to complete CAD/CAM indirect restorations (CAD/CAM IR) without compromising the desired quality of the CAD/CAM tooth preparations (effectiveness). In 2016, all third-year students at one U.S. dental school were randomly assigned to control and research groups (approximately 33 per group). The control group was taught using existing methods, while the course was redesigned to incorporate lean methods for the research group. Cycle times of the CAD/CAM IR process for both groups were collected and statistically analyzed to compare the effectiveness of the redesign. Standardized grading forms and tools were used to assess the quality of the CAD/CAM tooth preparations. The research group demonstrated significantly faster preparation times with both crowns and onlays (p<0.05) than the control group. The research group also produced CAD/CAM crown and onlay designs at a significantly faster pace than the control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the control and research groups associated with the scanning process times (p>0.05) nor in the quality of the CAD/CAM tooth preparations (p>0.05). This study demonstrated that lean methods applied to pedagogy significantly decreased preparation and design times in a CAD/CAM restorative dentistry course without compromising the quality of the CAD/CAM tooth preparations.