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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.
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.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Training Group | Experimental | Participants completed the first questionnaire after the theoretical training. They then received virtual reality simulator-based training using the SIMtoCARE system. Following this training, they completed the second questionnaire. After the virtual reality training, participants also received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire. |
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| Conventional Training Group | Active Comparator | Participants completed the first questionnaire after the theoretical training. They then received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire at the end of the training. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator | Other | A haptic virtual reality simulator used for inferior alveolar nerve block training. |
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| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in inferior alveolar nerve block education questionnaire score | 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. | Baseline and immediately after completion of training |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi | Konya | 42090 | Turkey (Türkiye) |
Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers. The questionnaire data were collected anonymously and will be used only by the study investigators for research purposes.
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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.
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No masking was used in this study. Participants and investigators were aware of group assignments.
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| Conventional Training | Other | Traditional theoretical and practical instruction for inferior alveolar nerve block administration. |
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