SP-21 - Enhancing Dental Education: Enabling Student Self-Evaluation in Endodontic Access Cavity Preparation Using 3D Software

Presentation Description/Abstract: The pulpal access preparation plays a crucial role in facilitating effective cleaning and shaping of the root canals. However, conducting visual evaluations and providing individual feedback to many students can be an extremely time-consuming task for faculty members.
The well-known E4D Compare is a software widely used by US dental schools for prosthodontic laboratory assignments. Since their first year in dental school, students receive training on scanning and comparing their dental anatomy wax-ups to faculty-determined ideal models.
This software was successfully adapted to compare students’ pulpal access cavities to the ideal access uploaded by faculty. In addition to the qualitative comparison, students receive a similarity score. Moreover, a specific tool permits students to evaluate their access opening size based on ADEX criteria, helping them prepare for this licensure exam.
By utilizing 3D self-assessment evaluations, students can evaluate their work independently, and faculty members can provide targeted feedback where needed.