How can we best prepare aspiring dentists for their first treatments? An innovative project at the Department of Dentistry at the University Hospital of Cologne, supported by the “Technical Equipment” grant from the Cologne University Foundation, is addressing this question.
The traditional training model used in dental education has been highly standardized and idealized, and as a result, it can only partially replicate the diversity of real-world treatment situations.
With the help of a modern PolyJet 3D printer, highly realistic dental models can now be produced that include not only teeth but also structures such as the tongue, mucous membranes, and other anatomical details. This creates training conditions that more closely resemble the work students will later perform on patients.
Students thus have the opportunity to practice important treatment steps under realistic conditions, gain confidence, and better prepare themselves for their future careers. The project impressively demonstrates how technological innovation can sustainably improve medical education.
