VR-haptics provides valuable feedback in dental education, study finds
But challenges in optimisation, educator acceptance and implementation remain.
Haptics-enhanced virtual reality (VR-haptics) enhances traditional dental education, but faces challenges in optimisation, educator acceptance and implementation, according to a study to be published in the Journal of Dental Education.
The VR-Haptic Thinkers group conducted a global survey to assess dental educators’ perspectives on VR-haptics in dental education.
A 28-item online questionnaire was distributed to 1,023 participants. Responses were collected using a five-point Likert scale and open-ended feedback, with analysis conducted in GraphPad Prism. By 15 September, 378 responses had been received from 156 institutions.
Developments in personalised training and cost-effective devices could further integrate VR-haptics into dental curricula
VR-Haptic Thinkers
VR-haptic supported dental trainings were more prevalent in preclinical (267 entries) than clinical settings (131), with most preferring their use alongside phantom head training (166/267).
Analysis of 182 suggestions revealed priorities such as expanding training scenarios (41 mentions), improving software usability (32), and integrating AI for personalised training (28). More than one-third emphasised hardware/software improvements, one-fifth noted economic barriers, and more than one-tenth reported low acceptance among educators and students.
The researchers concluded: “VR-haptics provides valuable real-time feedback in dental education. Future developments in personalised training and cost-effective devices could further integrate VR-haptics into dental curricula, potentially improving educational outcomes and advancing oral healthcare practices.”