3D Printing in Dental Education - A Scoping Review.

Preclinical education plays a fundamental role in dental training by providing students with essential knowledge of human anatomy and opportunities to practice a range of clinical procedures. In recent years, the growing demand for more realistic and individualized clinical simulations has driven the development of increasingly sophisticated training models. In this context, three-dimensional printing has emerged as a transformative technology in dental education. This scoping review aims to identify and evaluate the applications of 3D printing in the educational setting. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) databases to identify studies employing 3D printing in dental teaching and learning. A total of 94 studies encompassing 11 dental specialties were included in the qualitative synthesis. 3D-printed models have been used to support anatomical studies and the training of clinical procedures. Both students and dentists reported that these models effectively complement conventional teaching strategies, enhancing the overall learning experience. Furthermore, 3D printing offers more tailored educational opportunities by enabling the fabrication of patient-specific anatomical replicas and promoting student-centered, self-directed learning. Incorporating 3D printing into dental curricula is therefore recommended to improve educational outcomes and support the development of clinical competencies.