Abstract: PURPOSE: To evaluate the teaching effect of making custom trays via CAD in dental postgraduates. METHODS: Twenty-seven dental postgraduates from first to third grade at the School & Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai were given an informed consent to explain and request participation in the study. First, a lecture about the theory and process of fabricating custom tray via traditional hand-made method and CAD technique was given, then the students fabricated custom trays via the two methods and completed an online survey. The working time, margin extension and students' preference were analyzed with SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: The working time was shorter, the margin extension was superior, and students' preference was higher via CAD than traditional method, the difference was significant(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CAD is more conducive to enhance students' understanding of custom tray manufacturing process and relevant theoretical knowledge. It is recommended to integrate digital technology into dental curriculum.

Key words: Dental education, CAD, Custom tray