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

Farje-Gallardo C.A.; Salazar O.P.; Coronel-Zubiate F.T. · BMC Oral Health (2025) · DOI: 10.1186/s12903-025-05711-1

Resumen

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. © The Author(s) 2025.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas