1. 3-D models for problem-based and
case-based learning in Dentistry
Dr. Yanqi Yang
Dr. Susan Bridges
Faculty of Dentistry, HKU
yangyanq@hku.hk

2. “Electronic patient records” are the
trend nowadays.
Clinical treatment
Clinical teaching

6. Plaster model (PM)
•A special kind of clinical record
for dentistry ---- models of the
teeth.
•Study models have long been an
essential part of dental records.

7. Plaster model (PM) Virtual model (VM)
•Traditional plaster casts are among the last
clinical record in the dental field to be
converted into digital media.
•But virtual dental models are gradually
becoming more prevalent (Redmond, 2001).

8. Plaster model (PM)
•Storage and retrieval
•Transferability
•Durability

9. Virtual model (VM)
Advantages
Simpler storage
Reducing the risk of
damage/disappearance/wrong location
Simpler and more effective measuring
Easy transferral to colleagues, other
specialists, and even patients
Other functions

10. Thus,
in order to educate the modern dental
professional, the faculty decided that it
was useful to introduce e-models into
the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
curriculum.

11. Benefits to students
 gain experience with
handling electronic data
for dental recording
keeping.
 have increased access
through digital archiving on
the learning management
system.

12. Benefits to students
have increased mobility
and flexibility by studying
the models on computers.
no need to borrow and
carry plaster casts.

13. Benefits to students
Easier duplication means that individual
students will each have access to a set of
e-models.

14. Benefits to students
Students will be able to perform model analysis on
their own computers without staff needing to equip
each student with physical model analysis kits which
are problematic to provide.

16. How to make e-models?
High quality impressions or stone models
O3Dm(www.o3dm.net/moderndentallab/customerlogin.html)
Download software
Download „Virtual models‟ (5 business days)

20. The software of 3-D models is
What have we done? uploaded to WebCT with approval by
the 3-D models company for using the
software in teaching.

21. What have we done?
Key topic sessions for BDS students are held to introduce
“Electronic Study Models --- a new mode of records” and to
train how to use the software.

22. What have we done?
Software installed on the laptops for each PBL tutorial
room (to link with interactive white boards, IWBs)

23. What have we done?
Traditional plaster casts for PBL and CBL are transferred
to 3-D models and uploaded to WebCT in due time.

24. What have we done?
Teaching Development Grant:
Blended learning in Dentistry: 3-D resources for
problem-based and case-based learning

25. What have we done?
Initial student feedback and
reasonable access rates indicate that
the 3-D models have been generally
well accepted by students.

26. Future work
To evaluate in more detail with respect
to areas such as acceptability,
appropriateness, accessibility,
efficiency, and educational outcomes.

27. Future work
To use e-models in students‟
assessment/examinations.

28. Thank you
for your
attention!