title: Establishing CAD/CAM in Preclinical Dental Education: Evaluation of a Hands-On Module.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate a hands-on computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM) module in a preclinical dental course in restorative dentistry. A controlled trial was conducted by dividing a class of 56 third-year dental students in Germany into study and control groups; allocation to the two groups depended on student schedules. Prior information about CAD/CAM-based restorations was provided for all students by means of lectures, preparation exercises, and production of gypsum casts of prepared resin teeth. The study group (32 students) then participated in a hands-on CAD/CAM module in small groups, digitizing their casts and designing zirconia frameworks for single crowns. The digitization process was introduced to the control group (24 students) solely by means of a video-supported lecture. To assess the knowledge gained, a 20-question written examination was administered; 48 students took the exam. The results were analyzed with Student's t-tests at a significance level of 0.05. The results on the examination showed a significant difference between the two groups: the mean scores were 16.8 (SD 1.7, range 13-19) for the study group and 12.5 (SD 3, range 4-18) for the control group. After the control group had also experienced the hands-on module, a total of 48 students from both groups completed a questionnaire with 13 rating-scale and three open-ended questions evaluating the module. Those results showed that the module was highly regarded by the students. This study supports the idea that small-group hands-on courses are helpful for instruction in digital restoration design. These students' knowledge gained and satisfaction seemed to justify the time, effort, and equipment needed.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Schwindling is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Deisenhofer is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Porsche is at the Central Evaluation Department, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Rammelsberg is Professor and Chair, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Kappel is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; and Dr. Stober is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany. FranzS.Schwindling@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Franz Sebastian
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Schwindling
authors.affiliation: Dr. Schwindling is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Deisenhofer is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Porsche is at the Central Evaluation Department, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Rammelsberg is Professor and Chair, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Kappel is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; and Dr. Stober is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich Karl
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Deisenhofer
authors.affiliation: Dr. Schwindling is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Deisenhofer is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Porsche is at the Central Evaluation Department, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Rammelsberg is Professor and Chair, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Kappel is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; and Dr. Stober is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porsche
authors.affiliation: Dr. Schwindling is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Deisenhofer is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Porsche is at the Central Evaluation Department, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Rammelsberg is Professor and Chair, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Kappel is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; and Dr. Stober is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rammelsberg
authors.affiliation: Dr. Schwindling is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Deisenhofer is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Porsche is at the Central Evaluation Department, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Rammelsberg is Professor and Chair, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Kappel is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; and Dr. Stober is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kappel
authors.affiliation: Dr. Schwindling is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Deisenhofer is Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Porsche is at the Central Evaluation Department, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Rammelsberg is Professor and Chair, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. Kappel is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany; and Dr. Stober is Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stober
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003442:Crowns; D003479:Curriculum; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D003801:Dental Veneers; D004497:Education, Dental; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D003765:Models, Dental; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011476:Prosthodontics / Q000193:education*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D019231:Tooth Preparation, Prosthodontic; D055815:Young Adult; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide
keywords: computer-aided design; crown; dental education; educational technology; restorative dentistry; teaching methods