Immersion and haptic feedback impacts on dental anesthesia technical skills virtual reality training

Abstract

Objectives Administering anesthesia to the inferior alveolar nerve is 1 of the most stressful processes in dental training. Most studies using virtual reality (VR) for dental training have used non‐immersive technologies. The purpose of this work is to assess the impact of immersive technologies on skills training. Methods On May 2019, an experimental study was conducted with 163 clinical dental students, divided into 4 groups across 2 phases (preceptorship and training) with haptic feedback either On or Off. The participants trained on the inferior alveolar dental anesthesia procedure in a haptic VR simulator. Their technical skills were evaluated in terms of needle insertion features which were computed from a haptic device providing kinematic data. Also, the participants reported their subjective experience with syringe handling and simulator sickness. A machine learning method was implemented to automatically evaluate the needle insertion point performance of the student. Results Groups receiving immersive preceptorship and/or immersive training showed more accuracy and confidence in administering the anesthesia. Participants perceived a high sense of realism with the haptic feedback when handling the syringe. The machine learning method was validated, with an accuracy of 84%, as a good classifier to assess a student's needle insertion point performance. Conclusions The immersive VR simulator allows the practice of the inferior alveolar nerve block under near real conditions and with immediate feedback to the dental student with respect to the needle insertion point. This machine learning based automatic evaluation provides a method to improve technical skills, contributing to dental training.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality and Interactive Simulators on Dental Education Outcomes: Systematic Review

“…Virtual patient (VP) simulation was applied in four studies, [47][48][49][50] AR in three studies, [51][52][53] and IVR in two studies. 54,55 Results showed significant differences in all the selected studies except one study. 53 Participants positively appreciated the value of the VR in education, and the test groups reported significantly higher self-confidence.…”

Scoping review of artificial intelligence and immersive digital tools in dental education

“…However, with the AR technique, findings suggest that students had better control over the syringe and were easily able to identify the anatomical details and reference points, revealing a success rate of 90.2% 34 . Additionally, training performed in immersive conditions resembled the “real” environment, allowing the students to better navigate through the patients’ mouth 33 and comfortably feel when injecting into the correct anatomical landmark 35 . Moreover, automatic feedback plays a critical role in improving the students’ performance, suggesting that VR and AR technologies can be used as supplemental pedagogical tools to support students’ learning 35 …”

“…Administering local anesthesia is an indispensable part of preclinical training, but with the majority of dental simulators relying on less immersive technology, this procedure is currently known to be the most stressful in dental training 33 . However, with the AR technique, findings suggest that students had better control over the syringe and were easily able to identify the anatomical details and reference points, revealing a success rate of 90.2% 34 .…”

“…Administering local anesthesia is an indispensable part of preclinical training, but with the majority of dental simulators relying on less immersive technology, this procedure is currently known to be the most stressful in dental training. 33 However, with the AR technique, findings suggest that students had better control over the syringe and were easily able to identify the anatomical details and reference points, revealing a success rate of 90.2%. 34 Additionally, training performed in immersive conditions resembled the "real" environment, allowing the students to better navigate through the patients' mouth 33 and comfortably feel when injecting into the correct anatomical landmark.…”

Cross-Sectional Study on the Comparative Assessment of Mandibular Anesthesia (Inferior Alveolar Nerve Blockage) Manual Skills Shaping among Dentists on Plastic and Biomaterial Models

“…This fact led to a VR-tech training replacement, with phantoms of various levels of complexity, including interactive semi-anthropomorphic and cadaver ones [11,12]. Moreover, in accordance to Collaço E. et al, 2021, most doctors prefer to "feel in touch" what they do [13]. Thus, in research by Huri G. et al, 2021, the superiority of cadavers-based training on VR-tech in shoulder surgery was mentioned [14].…”