Reimagining dental education

A virtual reality journey from Kuopio, Finland

05 December, 2024 / indepth

A study¹ conducted at the Institute of Dentistry University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio has shed new light on the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) haptic reinforced preclinical training in dental education.

The key findings were:

Improved learning outcomes: the research revealed that combining VR haptics with conventional tooth preparation exercises can enhance students’ learning outcomes.
Increased confidence: more than two-thirds of the students reported improved self-confidence after practicing in the VR haptic environment.
Practical benefits: students appreciated the practicality of the exercises and the immediate feedback provided by the VR equipment.
Clinical measurements: The group that started with VR haptic training showed more consistent and closer-to-ideal tooth preparations in their final exams, with less damage to neighbouring teeth.

The study highlights the potential of VR haptic technology to revolutionise dental education. It offers students the opportunity to practice unlimited times in a low-stress environment, complementing traditional hands-on training. While the research demonstrates promising results, it also notes that further studies are needed to fully integrate VR haptics as a primary learning method in preclinical dental education. This pioneering research not only contributes to the field of dental education but also showcases the potential for student involvement in cutting-edge research, paving the way for future innovations in dental training methodologies. This study highlights the potential of VR-haptic technology to enhance learning outcomes in preclinical education, making training more effective and accessible.

Background

In 2022, our supervisors Dr Outi Huhtela and Dr Szabolcs Felszeghy, members of the UEF VR and Haptic Thinkers, curious about the buzz surrounding VR and haptic technologies, initiated a study to explore the effectiveness of virtual reality haptic training. They divided 40 preclinical students into two groups on a prosthodontic course. One group began with VR-haptic training, while the other continued with traditional plastic tooth exercises. Midway through the study, the groups switched their training methods.

The results:

Confidence boost: more than two-thirds of the students reported feeling more confident in their skills after practising in the virtual environment.
Enhanced precision: students who started with VR-haptic training demonstrated greater accuracy in tooth preparations and caused less damage to adjacent teeth during their final exam.
Flexible practice: the VR system allowed students to practice at their convenience without depleting physical resources, eliminating the struggle over limited lab time.
Instant feedback: the VR-haptic system provided immediate feedback, akin to having an instructor with x-ray vision guiding students through their exercises.
Low-stress environment: mistakes made in the VR setting did not result in wasted materials or embarrassment; students could simply click to retry and improve their performance.

Reference