The effect of systematic aesthetic education of prosthodontics in undergraduate practical teaching - a randomized controlled study

Abstract Background The lack of systematic aesthetic education in prosthodontics training leaves undergraduate interns inadequately prepared to manage patients with aesthetic demands. To enhance the theory knowledge and clinical decision-making abilities of undergraduate dental students in aesthetic restoration, we implemented systematic aesthetic education in practical teaching courses. Methods A total of 48 undergraduate dental students from the Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University were included, with 25 females and 23 males, aged 19–22 years, and the average age was (20.63 ± 0.97) years. The systematic aesthetic education curriculum included three modules: aesthetic basic theory courses (oral color science, oral morphology, oral photography, etc.), aesthetic diagnosis and treatment courses (concept of aesthetic zone, aesthetic analysis, aesthetic restoration treatment plans and operation training, etc.), and clinical practice courses (case analysis). Aesthetic knowledge tests were conducted before and after the courses to objectively evaluate the teaching effect. Subjective evaluation of teaching effect was obtained through questionnaires. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. The chi-square test was used to compare the percentages between the two groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The objective evaluation of teaching effect showed statistically significant differences in aesthetic literacy, diagnosis, and clinical practice before and after the course (p < 0.05). The questionnaire results showed that students recognized their progress in treatment decision-making, aesthetic restoration, and doctor-patient communication. They also acknowledged their deficiencies in professional aesthetic knowledge and clinical critical thinking. Conclusions Systematic aesthetic education, characterized by modular design and diversified teaching methods, can effectively improve the aesthetic theory knowledge and clinical practice ability of undergraduates and is worthy of promotion in dental education. It is still necessary to further improve the aesthetic education system and evaluation standards in the future.