Innovative learning in dental education: integrating narrative and 3D industrial design for teaching caries health disease processes.

INTRODUCTION

Dental education requires innovative pedagogical tools to understand the evolution of the health-disease process in individuals with dental caries. "The Origin of Teeth" integrates narrative storytelling with industrial character design to address this need.

AIM

To create and implement industrial designs based on characters from "The Origin of Teeth" to improve teaching outcomes and student engagement with the health-disease process of caries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and high-precision 3D printers, four anthropometric character models were developed and legally registered. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 30 dental students from the Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza. Pre- and post-intervention knowledge assessments were conducted using a validated multiple-choice questionaire, and data were analized using paired t-tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

RESULTS

The educational intervention significantly increased students´ understanding of dental caries processes, with posttest scores demonstrating a mean improvement of 35% compared to pretest scores (p < 0.001). The characters successfully embodied educational content, facilitating learning through tactile and visual interaction.

CONCLUSION

Integrating narrative storytelling with 3D industrial design is a powerful educational approach, enhacing student comprehension and engagement in dental education.This methodology hold promise for broader applications in health education.