KARACHI: The Department of Orthodontics at Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine (AIDM) earlier this week organised a hands-on workshop on bracket positioning for final-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students, giving future dentists an opportunity to translate orthodontic principles into practical clinical skills.
Held at the hospital's Phantom Heads Lab, Clifton, the workshop focused on bracket positioning using simulated clinical conditions, allowing students to work through a procedure that demands precision and careful execution. The practical format was designed to provide valuable clinical exposure while strengthening the students' hands-on orthodontic skills ahead of their transition into clinical practice.
Final-year BDS students gain practical orthodontic exposure
Bracket positioning is a fundamental component of fixed orthodontic treatment, where the accuracy of bracket placement can influence the intended movement and alignment of teeth during treatment.
Against this clinical backdrop, the workshop gave final-year BDS students an opportunity to practise the procedure in a controlled learning environment rather than relying solely on theoretical instruction.
Working on phantom heads, students could develop their practical familiarity with orthodontic procedures while receiving guidance from experienced faculty and clinicians.
The use of a dedicated simulation laboratory also allowed students to focus on technique and precision in an environment designed specifically for hands-on dental education.
Faculty-led training focused on clinical skills
The workshop was facilitated by Prof. Dr Ambreen Afzal Ehsan, Prof. Dr Hasnain Sakrani, Dr Sadaf Siddiqui, Dr Jaweriah, Dr Laiba and Dr Raheel.
Their involvement brought faculty-led supervision to the practical session, supporting students as they developed their understanding of bracket positioning and its application in orthodontic treatment.
The workshop also highlighted the value of simulation-based learning in dental education, particularly for procedures where accuracy, consistency and practical familiarity are important components of clinical training.
Phantom Heads Lab provides a clinical simulation environment
The Phantom Heads Lab at Altamash Hospital, Clifton, provided the setting for students to gain practical experience through simulated dental procedures.
The laboratory environment enabled final-year students to work with phantom-head equipment while developing their clinical skills before applying such techniques in patient-care settings.
For undergraduate dental students approaching the later stages of their BDS training, such practical exposure can help bridge the gap between classroom-based learning and the technical demands of clinical dentistry.
Faculty and management acknowledged for supporting workshop
The organisers expressed particular appreciation to Prof. Dr Ambreen Afzal Ehsan for gracing the occasion and acknowledged Prof. Dr Hasnain Sakrani for initiating the idea and helping make the workshop possible.
The organisers also thanked the management for providing students access to the Phantom Heads Lab, describing the facility as an important resource for gaining clinical experience through practical training.
The workshop brought together orthodontic instruction, simulation-based practice and faculty supervision in a single academic activity, giving final-year BDS students an opportunity to strengthen an important component of their clinical skill set.
By taking bracket positioning from theory to hands-on practice, the September 29 session placed precision, practical exposure and clinical preparedness at the centre of orthodontic education for the participating students.
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