OBJECTIVEThis project aims to establish an interactive oral and maxillofacial radiological image annotation database and to analyze its feasibility for implementation into curricula in order to develop a highly effective software for image browsing.

METHODSWe established the interactive image annotation database primarily on the basis of the local network and Foxit Reader. A pilot survey was then conducted to determine the performance of the interactive database. Seventy-six students were asked to complete a structured and open questionnaire related to their perceptions of using the database. Simple numeric quantitative and qualitative analyses were then applied.

RESULTSA total of 542 portable document format (PDF) digital teaching images and corresponding annotated files were collected. The survey revealed that most of the students found the database useful. Approximately 87.50% of the 64 subjects who compelete questionnaire believed that the database was superior to an older system (joint photographic experts group, JPEG) of image browsing.

CONCLUSIONThe integration and sharing of teaching resources and the establishment of an internet-based learning platform is the key to realizing a digital medical teaching system. The established database has high potential in a wide range of practical applications.