Mirror training device improves dental students' performance on virtual simulation dental training system

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Virtual Reality Simulation
• Surgical Skills Training

Background:

• Indirect vision using dental mirrors is crucial in clinical dentistry.
• The Mirrosistant device aims to improve dental students' proficiency with indirect vision.
• This study evaluates the Mirrosistant's impact on virtual simulation dental training performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness of the Mirrosistant device in enhancing dental students' indirect vision skills.
• To assess the impact of Mirrosistant training on performance within a virtual simulation dental training system.

Main Methods:

• 72 dental students were divided into Control and Experimental groups.
• The Experimental group underwent mirror training using the Mirrosistant device.
• Performance was evaluated using the SIMODONT virtual reality dental trainer, supplemented by a Likert scale questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Mirrosistant training significantly improved students' mirror operation scores (80.42 vs. 69.89, P=.0005).
• Training also significantly reduced mirror operation time (243.28s vs. 328.53s, P=.0013).
• Students reported positive attitudes, noting improved direction, distance perception, and tactile sensations.

Conclusions:

• Mirror training with the Mirrosistant device enhances dental students' perceptual and operational skills in virtual simulation.
• The device is effective in improving key aspects of indirect vision proficiency for dental trainees.