A Finnish examine led by the College of Jap Finland surveyed 156 establishments throughout 53 nations to gauge how dental educators use digital actuality (VR) in coaching and what’s holding it again. Printed in Frontiers in Dental Medication, the examine collected 378 responses, with 57% of respondents holding dental doctorates and 59% holding PhDs.
To date, incorporating VR in dental training is on the rise. Final yr, for instance, NYU made headlines when it introduced that it started utilizing VR to assist dental college students apply anesthesia to beat their nervousness.
Right here’s what stood out from the End international survey:
1. Preclinical coaching dominates VR use
- 94% of establishments use VR-haptic trainers in preclinical coaching, versus simply 46% in medical coaching.
- High programs: Restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, and endodontics.
- Solely 3% use VR for interprofessional training, signaling untapped potential.
2. Most use VR as a supplementary device
- 37% of educators use VR solely as a supportive device, not a substitute.
- Simply 4% use it for particular functions, like guide dexterity testing or unique coaching.
For associated articles, learn: Growth of Augmented Actuality and Digital Actuality Software for Dental Schooling
For extra: UB professors obtain grants to make use of AI for VR goggles, interactive lectures
3. What educators need improved
- Extra numerous coaching situations (20%).
- Higher software program (19%) and {hardware} (19%).
- AI-driven customized coaching (18%).
- Gamification options (10%).
4. Large hurdles: Tech gaps and prices
- 35% cited VR’s restricted capabilities—like unreliable ability switch to actual sufferers.
- 28% highlighted excessive prices for acquisition, upkeep, and area.
- 24% reported low acceptance amongst college and college students.
5. Resistance to new tech
- 35% flagged lack of technical proficiency as a barrier.
- 13% stated curriculum adaptation time is prohibitive.
