Study explores intra-oral scanning in dental education

Iveta Ramonaite, Dental Tribune International

Tue. 25 August 2026

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PLYMOUTH, England: Digital dentistry is becoming increasingly integrated into clinical practice, but evidence on its implementation in undergraduate dental education in the UK remains limited. A recent study has explored how dental students and clinical supervisors experienced using intra-oral scanning at the Peninsula Dental School in South West England, providing new insights into the technology’s educational value and practical application.

For the study, the researchers interviewed 15 Bachelor of Dental Surgery students and six clinical supervisors at the Peninsula Dental School. The study focused on how the technology was used in clinical teaching, its perceived benefits and limitations, and its implications for students’ preparation for contemporary dental practice.

Students at the Peninsula Dental School completed clinical placements at sites operated by Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise. The two organisations collaborate in designing and delivering the clinical curriculum for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme.

Overall, digital dentistry teaching was positively received by students and valued by clinical supervisors for its role in helping to prepare students for contemporary clinical practice. Students described the technology as engaging and low-stress and considered it beneficial for communicating with patients. Other perceived benefits included an improved patient experience, greater accuracy and enhanced learning, particularly for visually oriented students.

Participants also identified some challenges. These included limited equipment, restricted access, set-up time, equipment reliability, IT integration and variability in supervisor training. The study emphasised that digital methods should not eliminate the teaching of conventional techniques, because graduates still need to understand and use analogue approaches when clinically appropriate. Similar challenges relating to infrastructure, staff training and balancing digital and conventional techniques have previously been highlighted in dental education.

The findings support the integration of intra-oral scanning into undergraduate dental training. However, successful implementation requires appropriate infrastructure, staff training, technical support, equitable access to equipment and sufficient opportunities for students to practise.

Emily Akister, a fifth-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery student at the Peninsula Dental School, reflected on her experience of using intra-oral scanners. She said in a press release: “Our on-clinic experience with the digital scanners started in fourth year, where we were able to practice using the scanners and learnt about their merits and drawbacks in certain situations. The teaching allowed fluid application of this skill on to clinic in fifth year, where we have been able to case-assess and book the scanners to use for our patients.”

Senior author Dr Andrew Sleigh, director of clinical dentistry at Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise, commented: “By embedding these technologies into undergraduate training and clinical practice, we are ensuring our future dental professionals are equipped with the skills expected in modern dentistry. At the same time, digital workflows improve accuracy, efficiency and the overall patient experience.”

The study, titled “Student and staff experiences of digital dentistry in a Southwest Primary Care Dental School, UK”, was published online on 15 July 2026 in BDJ Open.