RemakerSpace secures funding to develop sustainable dental training models

RemakerSpace has received £48,000 from the Welsh Government’s Smart Flexible Innovation Support fund to collaborate with Cardiff University’s School of Dentistry on creating reusable training models for oral surgery.

This innovative project aims to address economic, environmental, and social challenges in dental training.

The initiative, involving NHS Wales, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff School of Dentistry and Cardiff School of Engineering, will conduct market research, lifecycle assessments, and prototyping. It builds on a year of initial exploration by the RemakerSpace and dental teams and will also explore the feasibility of using similar materials for trauma surgery training models with orthopaedic surgeons.

Currently, dental training relies on animal cadavers and single-use plastic models, which raise ethical concerns and generate significant waste. With NHS dental services accounting for 3% of the NHS’s carbon footprint, these reusable models are expected to cut costs, reduce emissions, and provide a more sustainable alternative.

Professor Daniel Eyers, Co-Director of RemakerSpace, said: “We are thrilled to have colleagues from across all three colleges of the university involved in this project. Their expertise is invaluable in developing a novel training model that not only enhances the quality of dental education, but also offers significant environmental benefits. This collaboration underscores RemakerSpace’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.”

Professor Vas Sivarajasingam, Clinical Director, University Dental Hospital added: “We are excited to announce this collaboration between University Dental Hospital (UDH) and School and RemakerSpace, focused on developing and testing 3D models for both undergraduate and postgraduate dental education. By using patient-specific models, students can simulate surgeries, practice restorative techniques, and explore anatomy in a way that enhances both their technical and diagnostic skills. This work is underpinned by UDH and School commitment on sustainability and aligns with our work with Bevan Commission.”

The School of Dentistry and University Dental Hospital in Cardiff, the only dental school and hospital in Wales, trains over 350 students and trainees. As part of the project, 4th-year dental students will join a training session later this month at RemakerSpace where they will learn about 3D printing and sustainability in healthcare.

This funding marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership between RemakerSpace and the School of Dentistry, paving the way for more sustainable and cost-effective dental training methods that align with circular economy principles.

James Field, Professor of Restorative Dentistry and Dental Education said: "Collaborating with colleagues in RemakerSpace allows us to further strengthen our position in preparing students for sustainable practice. These sessions will allow our students to better understand the wider context of sustainability and circular economies so that they can advocate for, and champion change, across a range of working environments."

RemakerSpace was established with the backing of the Welsh Government Circular Economy Capital Fund and a substantial contribution from Cardiff Business School. For more information on how RemakerSpace supports community groups, educational institutions, and businesses, please contact Centre Manager, Rebecca Travers.