Researchers of UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia observed that the systems of practical training used to train the students of dentistry are very imprecise, since the modelling and cutting of teeth are carried out on white models, which makes it impossible to work in an accurate manner since one cannot differentiate layers, delimitations or lesions, as it happens in reality with patients. 

Through this international patent, which is the result of the collaboration between the Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry and in Engineering in Telecommunication Technologies of UCAM, completely customisable dental models will be printed, providing them with different layers (differentiated by colours) and, optionally, with different densities, which will allow the students to acquire a high level of precision in the handling of cutting tools. This tool, together with the different existing methods of training, will optimise the results and will reduce iatrogenic injuries, thus improving care quality and specialisation in the branches of dentistry in which it is applied. 

This tool will optimise the results and will reduce iatrogenic injuries, thus improving care quality and specialisation

The research that led to this patent belongs to the project of teaching innovation ‘Desarrollo y Validación de un Prototipo Dental para Disciplinas Odontológicas’, framed within the UCAM University-Specific Research Plan. José Manuel Granero, vice-dean of the Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry; Rafael Melendreras, vice-dean of the Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering in Telecommunication Technologies; Raúl Melendreras, Diego Riera and Raúl Jiménez Soto (teachers of Dentistry); and Ángel García, teacher of Telecommunications, are the authors of the patent.

First class with virtual reality 

The first class of Dentistry in UCAM’s virtual reality, which has served to draw the attention of the students of this degree to this international patent, took place in three different spaces. In one of them, professors Rafael Melendreras and Raúl Melendreras explained the patent in a virtual environment, by using VR goggles; in another one, three students of the health-related degree used the same technology and, in another room, the rest of the students followed the session via computer with their own avatars, which they could use to interact in the lesson.