Case Western Reserve University, School of Dentistry

Cleveland, Ohio

Firm

Hasenstab Architects, Inc.

Client

Case Western Reserve University

Area

8,848 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$2,500,000

Completion Date

10/2002

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) renovated its School of Dentistry to develop one of the most technologically advanced laboratories and classrooms in the nation.
The Multimedia Learning and Simulation Laboratory provides first- and second-year dental students with modern technology in a virtual-reality setting.
This dental simulator laboratory has the capacity for 16 “DentSim” virtual simulator units; CWRU is one of only three schools in the country with 10 or more units.
The new laboratory also has 72 KaVo America’s simulators, which are used by second- and third-year students to simulate real-world clinical situations. This new equipment enables students to work faster and in a more realistic environment. Supporting the simulation area is an electronic media and resource room, grading room offices and dispensary.
Two major project advancements have allowed the school’s dental education to become more efficient and effective. The new equipment increases the interaction between the professor and students during simulation time, and allows students to review their simulation sessions and track their progress.
These tasks were accomplished with a computer imaging system, which allows students to interact with professors during simulations and demonstrations by using microphones, split screens and laboratory cameras. This system also stores each student’s simulation session for educational review at a later date.