To evaluate the effect of outcome simulator in the clinical teaching of orthodontics.

Six typical malocclusion cases, derived from patients treated in Department of Orthodontics Hospital of Stomatology during 2020 to 2021, including Angle ClassⅠ, Angle ClassⅡ and Class Ⅲ malocclusion were selected. All clinical materials including contented consultation, clinical examination, X-ray analysis, plaster models and digital models were provided. 28 graduated students (grade 2019 to 2021) majoring in Orthodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, were divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) by stratified random sampling. The students performed tooth arrangement on traditional plaster model (Group A) or outcome simulator (Group B) respectively, and then made diagnostic analysis and treatment plans. The diagnosis analysis and treatment plans from Group A and Group B were evaluated by 3 teachers (postgraduate tutors) and the explanations are given as well. The students and teachers conducted self-evaluation after undergoing different teaching methods.

Students in Group B got higher scores in "Initiative of making treatment plans" and "Consider more tooth movement details" compared to students in Group A (P<0.001) . The ratios of agreement in "promoting interests in study" (78.57% in group A, 100% in group B) , "easier to understand treatment plans" (75% in group A, 89.28% in group B) and "more consideration of 3D tooth movement" (64.28% in group A, 75.00% in group B) in Group B were higher than Group A. Moreover, the teaching efficiency was higher in Group B compared to Group A (P<0.001) , rating by the teachers.

The outcome simulator can help build up students’ logical thinking power in clinical work and improve the teaching effect of making diagnosis and clinical treatment plans for orthodontics.