FORMATION OF COMPETENCES AND SKILLS IN THIRD-YEAR STUDENTS OF DENTAL FACULTIES FOR FILLING, RESTORATION AND MODULAR APPROACH TO BUILD-UP OF MAXILLARY MOLARS

Abstract

This article discusses the technique to shape the maxillary molar anatomy using the modular technology, and its practical applications by 3rd-year dental students aiming to develop their manual skills. The objective of the study is to examine the process of learning by 3rd-year dental students the skills in filling and using the modular technology to build-up upper molars. The research was carried out by the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry and Propaedeutics of Dental Diseases of Ural State Medical University and by the Department of Control Systems Modeling and Intelligent Information Technologies of Ural Federal University. The study applied the alternative sequential approach to filling the crown part of the upper molar using modular technologies and right morphofunctional shapes developed by Professor L. M. Lomiashvili et al. Practical learning and development of the modular technology for upper left and right molars helps the students improve their manual skills such as drawing the occlusal surface of the tooth on paper, marking contours, identifying the central fissure, dental combs, slopes, and cusps, as well noting and identifying main characteristics and proportions, demonstrating quality and speed of microscale modeling with the use of original dental materials and instruments. The step-by-step process of modular-based modeling “from scratch” generates the special professional interest of future dentists studying the clinical course of restoration of tooth anatomy and occlusive surfaces in preventive dentistry classes.