Innovative learning in dental education: integrating narrative and 3D industrial design for teaching caries health disease processes.

INTRODUCTION: Dental education requires innovative pedagogical tools to understand the evolution of the health-disease process in individuals with dental caries. "The Origin of Teeth" integrates narrative storytelling with industrial character design to address this need. AIM: To create and implement industrial designs based on characters from "The Origin of Teeth" to improve teaching outcomes and student engagement with the health-disease process of caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and high-precision 3D printers, four anthropometric character models were developed and legally registered. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 30 dental students from the Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodriguez de Mendoza. Pre- and post-intervention knowledge assessments were conducted using a validated multiple-choice questionaire, and data were analized using paired t-tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. RESULTS: The educational intervention significantly increased students understanding of dental caries processes, with posttest scores demonstrating a mean improvement of 35% compared to pretest scores (p < 0.001). The characters successfully embodied educational content, facilitating learning through tactile and visual interaction. CONCLUSION: Integrating narrative storytelling with 3D industrial design is a powerful educational approach, enhacing student comprehension and engagement in dental education.This methodology hold promise for broader applications in health education.