Digital methods for evaluating all-ceramic veneer preparation in undergraduate dental education : a comparative study

Tooth preparation is a fundamental skill that dental students must develop expertise in. Traditionally, the evaluation of tooth preparations has been carried out by instructors, who provide feedback based on their knowledge and preferences. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital real-time assessment system and digital model scanning technology for assessing all-ceramic veneer preparations by dental students. The goal was to provide a more objective method of evaluation. A total of 83 undergraduate dental students each completed #21 all-ceramic veneer preparations using a digital real-time assessment system. Three methods were used to evaluate participants’ preparations: Test A was scored automatically using the digital real-time assessment system, Test B was assessed using a high-precision model scanning system, and Test C was evaluated by two experienced instructors. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess consistency between the instructors. A linear mixed-effects model with student ID as a random effect was used to compare the three assessment methods, with post-hoc pairwise comparisons adjusted using Bonferroni correction. Students’ perceptions of the digital assessment systems were evaluated using a structured questionnaire, and their outcomes were compared with traditional expert assessments. Traditional expert assessment (Test C) produced the highest mean score (74.1 ± 3.17), while the digital real-time assessment system (Test A) yielded the lowest (62.0 ± 9.21). Scores from the model scanning system (Test B) were intermediate (69.9 ± 8.82). The ICC(2,1) between instructors was 0.274 (95% CI [0.070, 0.460]), indicating poor consistency. All pairwise differences among the three methods were significant (adjusted P < 0.001). Questionnaire results showed that 97% of students believed digital systems enhanced learning interest, and 88% supported their incorporation into dental education. Digital assessment systems can effectively support the evaluation of all-ceramic veneer preparations and serve as important supplements to traditional teaching methods.