Dental Education, Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block
Conditions
Keywords
Haptic Simulator, SIMtoCARE, Dental Education, Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block, Local Anesthesia, Dental Students, Simulation-Based Training, Randomized Controlled Trial
Brief summary
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality simulator-based training in teaching the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique to third-year dental students. Participants were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality simulator training group or a conventional training group. The outcomes evaluated include theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, procedural performance, self-confidence, and anxiety levels associated with IANB administration. The study aims to determine whether virtual reality simulation provides advantages over conventional educational methods in local anesthesia training.
Detailed description
Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is one of the most frequently performed local anesthesia techniques in dentistry and requires adequate theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, and psychomotor skills. Traditional educational methods may not provide sufficient opportunities for repeated practice without patient involvement. Virtual reality (VR) simulators with haptic feedback have emerged as innovative educational tools that allow students to perform procedures in a safe and controlled environment. However, evidence regarding their effectiveness in IANB training remains limited. This randomized controlled study evaluates the effectiveness of a VR simulator (SIMtoCARE) in teaching the IANB technique to third-year dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Necmettin Erbakan University. Participants were randomly assigned to either a VR-based training group or a conventional training group. A total of three questionnaires were administered to the students. Based on the results of these questionnaires, several parameters, including theoretical knowledge, anatomical awareness, self-confidence, and anxiety levels, were evaluated. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of evidence-based educational strategies and support the integration of VR simulation into the dental education curriculum.
Interventions
OTHERSIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator
A haptic virtual reality simulator used for inferior alveolar nerve block training.
OTHERConventional Training
Traditional theoretical and practical instruction for inferior alveolar nerve block administration.
Sponsors
Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Masking description
No masking was used in this study. Participants and investigators were aware of group assignments.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality simulator-based training group or a conventional training group. Both groups completed the baseline questionnaire. The intervention group received virtual reality simulator-based training using the SIMtoCARE system and completed an additional questionnaire. The intervention group then received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire. The control group received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire at the end of the training. Outcomes were compared between the two parallel groups.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Being a third-year student at our Faculty of Dentistry Willingness to participate in the study voluntarily
Exclusion criteria
* Having previously received local anesthesia training using a virtual reality simulator Unwillingness to participate in the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in inferior alveolar nerve block education questionnaire score | Baseline and immediately after completion of training | Difference in questionnaire scores assessing theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, self-confidence, and anxiety related to inferior alveolar nerve block administration between baseline and post-training assessments. The effect of virtual reality simulator-based training will be evaluated through changes in these scores. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed