This product came to life as part of a capstone project during our graduate studies at the da Vinci Center for Product Innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA.

Dr. Richard Archer of VCU School of Dentistry proposed a project for da Vinci students. Dental schools across the US were experiencing a lack in appropriate shroud options to fit the Columbia manikin. Could a team of graduate students design and sell a better shroud for dental schools?

The three of us applied to and were selected to tackle the challenge. We all shared an interest in developing physical products, and successfully combined our eclectic backgrounds to form the creative and dynamic Jawdropper Dental team.

Our goal: design and develop a durable and easy to use shroud that fits the Columbia manikin, contains water used in the simulation process, and presents a valuable investment for dental schools.

Design Process

Throughout the fall of 2022, we researched competitors, striving to understand the user space, the market, and potential opportunities. We began generating simple prototypes based on the insights from our research, and shared them with stakeholders and students to help us refine the idea.

CDCA-WREB-CITA joined the design discussions and helped us review prototypes as subject matter experts. Dr. Barrett Peters offered feedback and research assistance as well. 

Product research and development continued throughout 2023. We went through three major updates based on iterative testing and feedback. By the end of 2023, we had a final design and were ready to fine-tune the sizing and final rounds of user testing.

Student and Faculty Approved

Our shroud went through several rounds of testing at VCU. Students praised the shroud, requesting to use it again. Take a peek at the feedback process in this article!

Students and teachers at the University of Maryland were also able to test the shroud in a simulation setting, receiving similar, positive feedback. The internal team of the CDCA reviewed the product and approved. 

By spring 2024, our shroud had successfully been used in board exams at VCU. Students who had used the product during class requested to use it again during exams – and they passed!

Our shroud is now officially in use at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry and VCU School of Dentistry, as well as shipped all over the states through the CDCA’s testing administration process.