Effect of Haptic Virtual Reality Simulation-Based Preclinical Training on Manual Dexterity of Dental Students

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured elective manual dexterity course on dental students' performance using haptic simulation, specifically analyzing precision and multidimensional error control under direct and indirect vision.

A total of 106 dental students participated in the study: 40 in the experimental group (elective course) and 66 in the control group (non elective course). Performance was assessed using the Simodont haptic simulator during a standardized caries removal task. Six metrics were recorded across multiple attempts: target precision (Target), floor invasion (LB), lateral invasion (LS), floor drilling (CB), lateral drilling (CS), and global score (EndScore). Mean and median scores were analyzed to compare outcomes between groups, sex, and laterality.

The elective course group demonstrated significantly higher proficiency across all metrics (p < 0.001). In direct vision, trained students achieved a mean precision of 68.12% and reduced catastrophic floor-drilling errors (CB) by over 90% compared to the control group (0.06 vs. 0.94; p = 0.0006). Under the cognitive stress of indirect vision, the trained group maintained superior performance, achieving a 92.53% success rate compared to 30.43% in the control group. No significant differences were found regarding sex or laterality (p > 0.05), indicating that the training effectively standardized technical competence across the cohort.

Structured manual dexterity training using haptic simulation is essential for developing foundational psychomotor skills in dental education. The course significantly enhances precision and mitigates critical procedural errors, particularly in challenging indirect vision environments. Integrating such training into dental curricula ensures a safer and more efficient transition from preclinical simulation to clinical patient care.