[Current status and future perspectives of artificial intelligence in virtual simulation-based stomatological...

Stomatological education is highly dependent on the development of practical skills. However, traditional teaching models present significant limitations in terms of standardization, cost-control, assessment objectivity, and operational safety. Virtual simulation technology offers a novel solution to these issues and with the integration of virtual simulation technology and artificial intelligence (AI) further advances the field toward more intelligent, personalized, and precise applications in the field. AI has demonstrated a key enabling role in various aspects, including creating high-fidelity virtual teaching content, enhancing clinical simulation realism, implementing intelligent assessment with personalized adaptive learning, and providing smart interaction and guidance. However, its practical application in virtual simulation teaching still faces multiple challenges related to resource investment, faculty training, technological iteration, system usability, and ethical-legal regulations. Looking forward, the continuous advancement of AI and its integration into multimodal teaching systems are expected to play a crucial role in building higher-fidelity immersive learning environments, achieving more intelligent personalized teaching, developing comprehensive clinical competencies, and promoting data-driven educational reform. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current application status, key enabling pathways, primary challenges, and future prospectives of AI in virtual simulation-based stomatologcial education.