Cronodent I, 3D interactive manual for self-learning of the dental chronology of equines.
Authors: Rodero Evangelina, González-Martínez Ana, Diz Andres, Rodero Jesus
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Cronodent I – A 3D Learning Tool for Equine Dental Chronology Accurate age determination through dental examination remains a cornerstone of equine practice, yet teaching this skill to veterinary students has traditionally relied on 2D illustrations and classroom specimens. Researchers at the University of Córdoba developed Cronodent I, an interactive app incorporating 3D-scanned images of 17 equine dental arches, and evaluated its educational impact through student surveys (97 participants) and performance metrics across 453 assessments. Performance scores improved significantly (from 4.37 to 4.86, p < 0.05) and success rates climbed from a baseline of 50.35% to 57.51% when accessed via the Moodle platform, though accessibility proved critical—success rates dropped to 48.76% when limited to Android-only access. For equine professionals involved in training or mentoring, this research highlights how digital 3D anatomy tools can enhance competency in dental age determination, while also revealing that platform accessibility directly influences engagement and learning outcomes. Future studies tracking long-term retention and competency maintenance would strengthen evidence for integrating such tools into continuing professional development for farriers, veterinarians, and other equine practitioners.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •3D interactive dental models are effective teaching tools for equine age determination—consider integrating similar resources into your own professional development if you perform age assessments
- •Mobile accessibility matters: ensure any learning platform you use is accessible across multiple devices and web browsers, not just apps
- •Young veterinarians trained with 3D dental resources may develop more reliable age-assessment skills, which could improve client confidence in pre-purchase or regulatory evaluations
Key Findings
- •Students using the Cronodent I 3D dental app showed significantly improved performance scores from 4.37 to 4.86 (p<0.05)
- •Success rate for age determination improved from 50.35% to 57.51% when app was accessible via Moodle platform
- •Platform accessibility significantly affected student engagement, with success rates dropping to 48.76% when limited to Android mobile access only
- •97 students rated the app highly for functionality and usability, confirming 3D interactive models are preferred over traditional 2D learning resources