The TactiTooth initiative originated in 2016 as a PhD research project at Queen Mary University of London. Its primary goal has been to improve dental education and training by creating innovative materials that simulate the tactile experience of working on real teeth.
The project's early stages received support from the EPSRC-GSK Studentship Case award (1797308), titled '3D Printing of Teeth from Micro-CT Scans for Research and Training.' Subsequently, in 2020, the Westfield Fund granted £10,000 to explore the application of TactiTooth in endodontic training.
In 2022, Barts Charity provided substantial funding of £50,000 (G-002362) to further the project's mission. This grant supported the development of a free online resource that dental schools could utilize to create their own TactiTooth models. Additionally, it offers access to digital replicas of real teeth, enhancing dental education. The grant was titled 'Development of a Method for Creating Artificial Teeth for Dentist Training.'
Our website now offers these resources to all, free of charge, to empower dental educators and students worldwide.