Learning curve and target-based accuracy of diode laser versus scalpel incisions in a porcine skin model: a preclinical feasibility study with undergraduate dental students

PURPOSE: Despite the growing clinical application of diode lasers in oral surgery, laser training remains underrepresented in dental curricula. This study evaluated the feasibility of structured preclinical diode-laser training and characterized the early learning curve of undergraduate dental students without prior laser experience, using target-based accuracy of laser incisions compared with a familiar scalpel reference condition. METHODS: 22 dental students performed standardized linear incisions on porcine skin at three time points. Each session comprised five incisions (target: 10 mm length, 2 mm depth, minimal width): four diode-laser settings (1 W/pulsed, 3 W/pulsed, 1 W/continuous, 3 W/continuous; 445 nm wavelength; 320 μm fiber) and one scalpel incision. Incision morphology was assessed by micro-computed tomography. Operative time was recorded per incision, and subjective workload was evaluated using the NASA-TLX questionnaire. RESULTS: Total operative time decreased significantly across sessions (p = 0.006). Per-method reductions were significant only for the two pulsed settings. Four of six NASA-TLX subscales improved (all p ≤ 0.013). Length accuracy improved significantly over time (main effect of time p < 0.001) with no method-time interaction and comparable, significant within-method gains for all methods. Depth accuracy showed only a small overall time effect and a significant within-method gain for a single laser setting (1 W pulsed). Incision width did not change significantly over sessions for any method. Laser incisions were consistently wider than scalpel incisions. CONCLUSION: Structured preclinical laser training on porcine skin is feasible and is associated with early gains in operative efficiency, perceived workload and length accuracy. These gains largely reflect general task familiarisation rather than a laser-specific learning advantage. The findings support integrating structured laser training using animal-tissue models into dental education but cannot establish clinical competence, equivalence to scalpel surgery, or transfer to intraoral patient care.