Haptic and Force Feedback Technology in Dental Education: A Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Dental Education Technology
• Haptic and Force Feedback Systems
• Bibliometric Analysis

Background:

• Haptic and force feedback technology is increasingly utilized in dental schools for psychomotor skill training.
• A significant gap exists in bibliometric analyses concerning this technology's application in dental education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of haptic and force feedback technology in dental education.
• To identify developmental trends and key contributors in this research area.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive search of the Web of Science Core Collection database was performed for publications from January 2001 to November 2022.
• Descriptive bibliometric analysis was conducted using Apple Numbers, with data visualization via VOSviewer software.
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in 85 selected articles.

Main Results:

• The United States and China are the leading countries in publications.
• Prominent authors and influential literature were identified through correspondence author and author co-citation analysis.
• A notable increase in publications occurred in the last two years, with virtual reality emerging as a key integrative application keyword.

Conclusions:

• This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of haptic and force feedback technology in dental education.
• It highlights key authors, literature, keywords, and emerging trends, offering valuable insights for researchers, educators, and students.
• The findings support the increasing prevalence and integration of this technology in future dental training programs.