VR haptics boost endodontic training

Iveta Ramonaite, Dental Tribune International

Tue. 6 May 2025

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KUOPIO, Finland: In recent years, virtual reality (VR) and haptic technologies have been increasingly integrated into dental curricula alongside conventional teaching methods, offering opportunities for greater repetition, standardised feedback and enhanced learning. Seeking to provide evidence to guide the use of this modality in training, a recent study evaluated the impact of VR haptic simulators on skill acquisition and stress reduction in preclinical endodontic education according to the timing of implementation. The findings suggest that incorporating VR haptic simulators before training on artificial teeth can significantly improve skill development and help to reduce stress.

Dr Szabolcs Felszeghy believes that the study in which he was involved on integrating virtual reality haptic simulators into preclinical endodontic training marks a significant step towards a more modern, student-centred approach in dental education. (Image: Szabolcs Felszeghy)

According to senior author Dr Szabolcs Felszeghy, a clinical lecturer at the Institute of Dentistry of the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio, preclinical students often face various challenges in acquiring endodontic skills. He told Dental Tribune International (DTI): “Traditional training methods often require constant supervision by educators, which can be demanding for instructors and potentially stressful for students. This dynamic may inadvertently hinder the learning process.”

Lead author Dr Sıla Usta, assistant professor in the Department of Endodontics of the Gulhane Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Health Sciences in Ankara in Turkey, said that the study was driven by the rise of digital tools in dental education and the lack of agreement on when and how to introduce VR haptic simulators into the preclinical endodontic curriculum. She noted that, while previous research has demonstrated the benefits of VR haptic simulators in developing psychomotor skills, a critical gap remains regarding its optimal integration with traditional training methods.

“We aimed to fill this gap by evaluating not only the educational value of VR haptics but also its psychological impact on stress and confidence. This topic is highly relevant because dental education continues to evolve towards more immersive, technology-driven approaches, especially in skill-intensive disciplines like endodontics, where precision, confidence and calmness under pressure are crucial,” Dr Usta told DTI.

Greater dexterity and reduced stress

The study involved 40 volunteer dental students enrolled in preclinical endodontic training. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one group was trained with VR haptic simulators before practising on artificial teeth, whereas the other group began with artificial teeth training, followed by VR simulation. All students received standardised lectures and demonstrations on access cavity preparation. Pre- and post-training evaluations included measurement of stress levels, assessment of manual dexterity and surveys of self-confidence.

The findings showed that students who began their training with VR haptic simulators achieved significantly higher manual dexterity scores, reported greater self-assessed proficiency and experienced lower anxiety levels during preclinical training sessions compared with those who trained on artificial teeth first. They also felt better prepared and more confident in performing access cavity preparations and managing procedural challenges. Stress levels decreased notably after simulator practice in both groups. However, simulator performance did not differ regardless of the training order. “This suggests that early exposure to VR primarily enhances real-world psychomotor skills and emotional readiness, rather than performance on simulator-specific tasks,” commented Dr Usta.

Improving technical and emotional readiness in dental training

Dr Sıla Usta says that the integration of virtual reality haptic simulation into endodontic preclinical training provides students with a critical foundation in technical ability and emotional resilience. (Image: Sıla Usta)

Commenting on the significance of the research results, Dr Usta told DTI: “Our findings have major implications for curriculum design in dental schools—especially in endodontics—highlighting the value of a tech-enhanced, psychologically supportive learning sequence. By reducing stress and boosting confidence, VR training can help future dentists enter clinical settings with improved skills and self-assurance, which may translate into better patient outcomes and fewer errors.”

The researchers pointed to the need to investigate the long-term retention of skills, the clinical transferability of training and the cost-effectiveness of VR implementation in multicentre longitudinal studies. Additionally, Dr Usta believes that standardising simulator-based assessment metrics and incorporating personalised feedback mechanisms could further enhance VR’s educational value.

“We hope our work contributes to a broader discussion on building a more inclusive, engaging and evidence-based dental education system,” she noted.

Dr Felszeghy concluded: “Digital and VR haptic technologies are reshaping dental education, offering innovative solutions to long-standing challenges in training and skill development. These advancements are not only transforming how students learn but also redefining the role of educators in fostering technical proficiency and confidence.”

The study, titled “A comparison of traditional and virtual reality haptic simulator approaches in preclinical endodontic training: Impacts on skill acquisition, confidence and stress”, was published online on 10 April 2025 in the International Endodontic Journal, ahead of inclusion in an issue.